Newcastle United is reportedly no longer in the race to sign Ivan Fresneda this month.
According to the Athletic, the Magpies have backed out of the race to sign the 18-year-old defender from Real Valladolid.
This month, Fresneda has been widely connected with a move to St James’ Park.
It was even suggested that a deal was nearly completed, with the right-back bidding farewell before joining Newcastle.
That allegation, however, was clearly premature. According to the Athletic, the race to sign Fresneda has narrowed down to two teams, with Fresneda set to pick between Arsenal and Borussia Dortmund.
According to reports, both clubs have agreed to a £13 million agreement with Real Valladolid. Fresneda will remain on loan at Valladolid until the conclusion of the season, regardless of whatever team he joins.
Because Newcastle failed to sign a bright young player, Dan Ashworth will have to look elsewhere for the right-back he seeks.
While Newcastle will miss out on Fresneda, he is not the only right-back with whom Newcastle has been linked.
The Magpies are looking for a young youngster to fill in for Kieran Trippier before eventually replacing the England international. Fresneda met that description and was seen as someone who could learn from the 32-year-old.
Malo Gusto has also been linked with Newcastle, but he might be on his way to Chelsea before the transfer window shuts.
However, the first right-back Newcastle were looking at is perhaps the one they should now revisit, with Harrison Ashby of West Ham still available.
Eddie Howe attempted to sign him in the summer, but the Hammers vetoed the move. Despite being regarded as the most talented kid to come through West Ham’s academy in years, the 21-year-old is likely to become a free agent at the conclusion of the season.
According to the Daily Mail, Ashby is still on Newcastle’s radar, and the failure of Fresneda should focus thoughts on Tyneside and lead to a new approach for the defender.
Given that he has only made one Premier League game for West Ham, he would not expect to feature at St James’ Park. But he’d enter with a clear path to the first team and the opportunity to learn under arguably the league’s top right-back this season.
Given that Dan Ashworth wanted to sign him during the summer, Ashby is definitely someone Newcastle believes has the potential to become a first-team regular for Howe’s side.
And with his West Ham contract winding down, now is the moment to make a fresh move for a boy who has previously been rated as a ‘great player’.
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