By Gonzo

Transfer ‘In The Know’ Dharmesh Sheth of Sky Sports has reported that West Ham have rejected a bid from Newcastle for Harrison Ashby however, they are open to allowing him to leave.

Speaking from his Twitter account, Sheth wrote, “West Ham United have rejected a bid from Newcastle United for right-back Harrison Ashby. Bid went in earlier in the window. Negotiations ongoing. West Ham open to sale – Ashby out of contract in the summer”

Quite how much The Magpies have bid for the Hammers right back is not disclosed, but it appears a deal is close to being completed. For me personally, this is one of the more depressing stories to emanate from West Ham recently. Time will ultimately prove me right or wrong but he looks to be an incredibly talented player, with good athletic and technical ability.

Harrison Ashby

Ashby is the latest in a long line of players queuing to depart the club, but the fact that forward thinking Newcastle covet him should set alarm bells ringing. Every time I’ve seen the Scotish U21 international play for West Ham he’s performed superbly.

How he’s not managed to force his way into the team during the last two seasons is a mystery to me. I believe him to be the only natural right wing-back at the club, which is a problem position when Moyes deploys a back five.

I wish him well and don’t blame him for leaving at all. It’s a struggle to imagine a set of circumstances where he’d feature under Moyes, irrespective of Coufal or Kehrer’s form.