Harrison Ashby: Swansea City set to sign Newcastle United defender on loan

Swansea City hope to sign Harrison Ashby on loan from Newcastle United in time for their Championship opener against Birmingham City on Saturday.

The right wing-back underwent a medical at Swansea’s Fairwood training ground on Monday.

That should secure a season-long loan switch from the Magpies.

“Harrison Ashby’s in the door. We’re just waiting for the registration to be signed off,” said Swans head coach Michael Duff.

“We wanted him in 10 days ago, but he’s ultimately Newcastle’s player, so we’re at the hands of other people sometimes.

“We’re hoping he’ll be available for selection on Saturday.”

It comes after Swansea brought in goalkeeper Carl Rushworth on loan from Brighton and Hove Albion and forward Mykola Kuharevich from Troyes.

But Duff says he is still eager to further bolster his ranks before the 1 September transfer deadline, with the Swansea boss stating he is keen to recruit a left wing-back following the departure of Ryan Manning.

“I don’t think I’m breaking any secrets, I think we need a left-sided player,” explained Duff.

“That’s something we’re looking for. It’s not a case of we haven’t been looking. We have been trying. That has been a frustrating one.

“We’re still looking to be active for a couple more.”

‘No bids’ for Piroe

Joel Piroe is expected to lead the line for the Swans against Birmingham amid interest from clubs including Leicester City, Atalanta and Leeds United.

Duff reiterated that the club are yet to receive a formal offer for the Dutchman, who netted 44 goals across his first two seasons in south Wales.

“I’ve had conversations with Joel, there’s been no bids,” added Duff.

“Until there’s a bid, he’s our player. He’s been absolutely top-drawer the way he’s gone about it all.”

Joe Allen and Josh Ginnelly are continuing to be carefully monitored having suffered minor injuries in pre-season, although goalkeeper Steven Benda and midfielder Liam Walsh are unavailable for Saturday’s clash with Birmingham.

Speaking ahead of the Swans’ fixture against the Blues, Duff said: “I’m not a big one for making predictions.

“I think it’s the most competitive Championship for a long time. You look at the teams that came up, big teams, and the teams that came down are very well supported, financially as well, so it’s going to be really competitive. That’s all we want to be.”

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Newcastle United set to sign defender amid ‘advanced negotiations’ for Serie A winger

Newcastle United are set to sign young centre-back from AC Milan following a successful trial.

Irish defender Cathal Heffernan featured for Newcastle’s Under-21s side in the friendly matches against Carlisle United and Barrow. Despite The Young Magpies losing both matches 2-0 and 4-1 respectively, the club have decided to sign the 18-year-old.

Heffernan joined AC Milan from Cork City on an initial loan deal in January 2022 which was then made permanent last summer. And according to the Irish Examiner, he is set to become another player to leave Milan for Newcastle this summer.

Youth football in Italy has seen an influx of young Irish talent that may have otherwise joined English clubs.

Speaking earlier this year on Sky Sports, Heffernan said: “If Brexit hadn’t happened, I probably could be in England right now.

“I think it’s a massive disadvantage for England, they’re going to have to figure out a way to counteract it in the future or they’ll end up paying the price. The way it is, European clubs are just going to start taking over by getting the best players from all around Europe.

“I could be in England right now, I’m not saying I would be in England but it would be a good bit of the way there.

“I’d been on a couple of trials in Italy as well and thankfully I landed this one in Milan, it changed my life so I’m kind of happy it happened in a way, but it would have been nice to go to England as well.”

The teenager is Republic of Ireland Under-19s international team-mates with Newcastle Under-21s pair Alex Murphy and Reece Byrne.

And another of Heffernan’s Ireland youth team-mates is also close to joining The Magpies. Inter Milan winger Kevin Zefi has been on Newcastle’s radar after he registered 16 goals in 23 appearances at youth level last season.

The 18-year-old is in ‘advanced negotiations’ to join Newcastle this summer and has just a year remaining on his contract after joining Inter from Shamrock Rovers in 2021.

Zefi, who is of Albanian descent, was born and bred in Ireland and his agent is none other than former Newcastle defender Stephen Carr.

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Report: NUFC enquired about signing 19y/o who Grealish loves, but he’s now off to Bournemouth

Earlier this year, Newcastle United looked into the possibility of signing the next Jack Grealish. Now it looks like Eddie Howe’s side will be playing against him.

Alex Scott has been turning heads with his performances for Bristol City. The 19-year-old was sensational for the Robins last season, leading to comparisons to Manchester City star Grealish.

He even earned praise from the England international, who called Scott a ‘top top talent’. On top of that, Scott also caught the attention of Pep Guardiola.

With so much hype surrounding the midfielder, a move to the Premier League was inevitable. And, like pretty much every midfielder out there, he was linked with a move to Newcastle.

The Magpies reportedly launched an enquiry for the teenager, with Bristol City wanting a deal worth £25million.

It looks like they are going to get that sum – but not from Newcastle.

Bournemouth set to sign Alex Scott

According to the Telegraph, Scott is closing in on a move to Bournemouth, who are in advanced talks over a £25million deal for the English wonderkid.

It is a good bit of business by the Cherries, who are investing heavily in the future. They will hope that Scott can hit the ground running in the Premier League, as they look to survive in the top flight once again.

It will be interesting to see how well Scott does in the Premier League, and whether or not Newcastle should have formalised their interest from earlier in the year.

However, no matter how well he does, Howe will feel like he has enough options in the middle of the park. The club brought in Sandro Tonali from AC Milan, while academy stars Elliot Anderson and Lewis Miley are expected to play a role in the first-team.

If Scott had arrived, he would either have struggled for minutes, or his presence could have hindered the development of someone like Miley, who Howe is planning to use off the bench in the Premier League despite being just 17-years-old.

While Scott may excel in a Bournemouth shirt, Newcastle are more focussed on their own emerging talent.

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Chelsea have beaten Newcastle United to a lot of young talents over the past six months, from Andrey Santos to Angelo Gabriel.

However, now Newcastle are looking to get some sort of revenge as they try to tempt Lewis Hall to swap Stamford Bridge for St James’ Park.

The 18-year-old is a target for Eddie Howe, who is keen to sign a left-back. That is one position that Hall can play, as Newcastle found out last season.

The teenager actually made his Premier League debut at St James’ Park, operating at left wing-back for the Blues during a 1-0 win for Howe’s side.

That was one of nine Premier League appearances for Hall last season, who can also play as a centre-midfielder. He has been described as a ‘special‘ talent by Pat Nevin, and that is why Newcastle are keen to bring him to the North East.

Newcastle interested in Lewis Hall

According to journalist Ben Jacobs, Hall is definitely a player who is on Newcastle’s radar. He spoke to NUFC Matters on YouTube about the Magpies’ interest in the youngster.

“Hall is on Newcastle’s radar for sure,” he said.

“I’m not aware that they’ve made a bid at this point but I think the feeling in the Chelsea camp is that he’ll be available, him and Trevoh Chalobah are both on the market.

“Newcastle may look at Hall but he’s obviously younger, still one for the future.”

What Chelsea plan to do with the teenager

But while Newcastle want Hall, Chelsea do not want to lose Hall. It was recently reported that Mauricio Pochettino’s side have no plans to sell the academy product.

Instead, they have a different idea.

According to Di Marzio, Hall is expected to leave Chelsea on loan this season as he goes in search of senior minutes.

While that might open the door for Newcastle, a deal would be a waste of time. Loaning Hall would only be worthwhile for the Magpies if it included an option or obligation to buy at the end of it – and there is no way Chelsea are going to agree to that.

There would be no point in Newcastle signing Hall on loan, as it would just mean we are developing Chelsea’s player for them.

He may have been identified as a potential star of the future by Toon officials, but it looks like it is going to be impossible to do a deal.