Colchester United Midfielder, Ossama Ashley, is being linked with a summer move away from the Essex club, according to Journalist Mike McGrath of The Daily Telegraph.
Ashley joined Colchester in 2022 on a one-year contract and although the U’s are exercising an option in the midfielder’s contract, he could still be moving on for a significant fee this summer.
The 23-year-old made 28 appearances in League Two last season, in what was his first real taste of senior football. Although not hugely utilised in the first part of the season, the young midfielder gradually saw his minutes increase throughout the season, with his most consistent minutes coming at the end of the year. Ashley started six of Colchester’s last seven games, and started to really grow into his position in the team as a deep-lying midfielder.
Who is Ossama Ashley?
Although he started his career in Fulham’s academy, the midfielder would move to Wimbledon as a 17-year-old. In a three year stay with the Wombles, Ashley would make just one senior appearance and would subsequently be released. West Ham would then pick up the youngster who although didn’t make any senior appearances, did see an increase in playing time through playing for their under-21s. Following his departure from the London club, he made the short trip over to Essex to join Colchester in 2022, where he enjoyed a steady season, gaining vital experience in the senior ranks. Ashley is most commonly utilised as a defensive midfielder due to his ability to break up play as well as being able to progress the ball forward. That being said Colchester did also use him as a central midfielder last season. With very few senior appearances under his belt, there should be plenty more to come from the midfielder.
Who is interested?
There are both League One and League Two clubs who are fighting for the Englishman’s signature currently. Both Oxford United and Portsmouth are looking to strengthen their ranks for the forthcoming season and are both reportedly interested in Ashley. However with very little experience to his name, and all that experience being in the fourth tier, it could be somewhat of a risk that would be taken to sign him. That could certainly pay-off given how the 23-year-old played towards the end of the season, but it seems as if a move to a fellow League Two side is likelier.
Salford City are reportedly leading the race currently, and off of the back of a season which saw the Manchester side reach the play-offs, they will want to be thereabouts again next season. With one of the higher budgets in League Two, it would be no surprise to see the Ammies snap the midfielder up this summer to strengthen their midfield. League Two newcomers MK Dons are also interested in Ashley, and having been extremely disappointing in League One last season, will be looking to improve this year.
There will be plenty of transfer speculation surrounding the midfielder this summer, and Colchester should be looking to sell if able to get a significant fee, That being said, Ashley could play a vital part in their season next year if he is to stay, having shown his best form at the back-end of the season.
Writer’s View
Although he may not be vastly experienced, Ashley has obvious talent. Consistent minutes would rapidly accelerate his growth and I can’t see how joining a League One club will bring just that. Therefore both Salford and MK Dons are potentially better options for the midfielder, with Salford potentially edging it given their success last year. There is certainly more to come from the youngster, and the forthcoming season could be a breakout year.
