According to journalist Dean Jones, West Ham may be reluctant to offer Harrison Ashby a lucrative deal in fear of other youngsters seeking improved contracts.
As reported by The Sun, the Hammers refused the 20-year-old a move away from the London Stadium with Newcastle United and Leeds United both circling, having triggered a one-year extension in his contract until 2023 this summer.
It stated that the Irons were now hoping to secure the long-term future of the four-cap Scotland under-21 international after staving off interest from Newcastle on deadline day when a deal appeared ‘all but done’.
Leeds are expected to look again at bringing Ashby to Elland Road in January (Alan Nixon), and it has left the officials at the London Stadium in a pickle.
Jones has now stressed that West Ham co-owners David Sullivan and David Gold must find a solution to the Scottish youngster’s future without causing unrest among their academy ranks.
He told GIVEMESPORT: “West Ham have to try and sort out the situation.
“They’re very cautious about giving him a big, new contract because of the knock-on effect it might have to other players within the set-up. This is a situation that is going to be ongoing for a little bit.”
He could be allowed to leave
Ashby has played six times for the first team under David Moyes, including 90 minutes in the home leg of the Europa Conference League play-off against Viborg last month. While he is still on the fringes of the senior squad, it would be frustrating for the club to lose one of their academy products on a free transfer next summer.
However, it does seem that the Irons have left themselves in a sticky situation, and it could perhaps be best to allow the 20-year-old to depart.
Claret and Hugh have reported that the right-back may reject West Ham’s offer of improved terms, and it could be that he is allowed to leave but with a buyback or future sell-on clause incorporated into any sort of transfer in order to protect their investment.
