According to the Football Insider, Queens Park Rangers are set to sign Newcastle United defender Harrison Ashby on loan.
The 22-year-old joined Newcastle from West Ham United for an undisclosed fee in 2023. Although he had made both his Premier League and European debut at West Ham, he opted for the move North but hasn’t made his professional debut for Newcastle yet. He spent the 23/24 campaign at Championship side Swansea City, where he contributed to two goal contributions in 16 appearances. Premier League outfit Newcastle are looking once again to offload Ashby temporarily, with the 22-year-old now set for his second loan spell in the Championship, this time at west-London-based side QPR.
Marti Cifuentes looks to be adding a few last-minute additions before the transfer window shuts today at 11 PM. They face off against Luton Town on Sky Sports tonight and will be looking to wrap all deals before the game. So far, the likes of Paul Nardi, Liam Morrison, Hevertton Santos, Zan Celar, Jonathan Varane, Nicolas Madsen and Daniel Bennie have moved to England to complete permanent deals and walk through the door at Loftus Road. Loanee duo Karamoko Dembele and Koki Saito have also been signed from clubs abroad, but Dembele has experience playing in England and Scotland at the likes of Blackpool and Celtic. Ashby is now set to become the 10th signing and the third loan signing as the R’s look to improve on a disappointing season last time out.
Key players have also departed the club, with Chris Willock, Sinclair Armstrong and Andre Dozzell all leaving to join Championship rivals Cardiff City, Bristol City and Portsmouth, as well as striker Lyndon Dykes recent move to Birmingham City.
Last season QPR finished 18th, just six points from the relegation zone. They experienced a tough start under the guidance of both Neil Critchley and Gareth Ainsworth, before opting to appoint Cifuentes, who kept them clear of the relegation zone. However, his first full season in charge at Loftus Road hasn’t gone to plan so far, with a winless start in the Championship.
They aren’t the only side scrambling to get deals done, with many clubs up and down the county looking to get deals done before tonight’s deadline.
Writer’s View
QPR do look a little short when it comes to defensive recruits. With the lack of time left in the window, Ashby seems like a smart signing for the Championship side. Experienced, yet young and versatile, Ashby will bring crucial depth as well as youth to Cifuentes squad.
For Ashby, another loan move away from St James’ Park makes perfect sense for the Scotsman. With the likes of Keiran Trippier, Tino Livaramento and Lewis Hall all before the 22-year-old in the pecking order, yet again game time would’ve been hard to come by. From Newcastle’s perspective, this is another opportunity for Ashby to impress at a decent level in the Championship. He didn’t set the Championship on light on loan at Welsh outfit Swansea, and Newcastle will be hoping for a change in his fortune back in London.
Be the first to comment