‘In the door’ - Manager confirms imminent Newcastle United transfer after leaked photo

Swansea City boss Michael Duff has confirmed Harrison Ashby is joining the Championship club on loan for the 2023-24 season.

Ashby registered his first minutes for Eddie Howe’s first-team this pre-season since completing his £3million move from West Ham United in January. The 21-year-old featured at Gateshead and Rangers, and also against Chelsea and Brighton & Hove Albion in the US Premier League Summer Series.

Along with the rest of his Newcastle United teammates, Ashby arrived back in North East on Sunday but travelled south less than 48 hours later to undergo his medical at the Swansea.com stadium.

The deal is yet to be announced but is all-but complete, as explained by Duff. He said: “Harrison Ashby’s in the door, We’re just waiting for the registration to be signed off.

“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 [versus Birmingham City].”

In a training gallery published by Swansea on Wednesday morning, a snap of midfielder Azeem Abdulai featured the arm of an unidentified player whose tattoos are identical to Ashby’s.

And today, Swansea went a step further by allowing to purchase their new shirt with ‘Ashby 30’ on the back, which is the number the young defender wore in pre-season for Newcastle. The gaffe has since been removed.

Ashby’s confirmed arrival could coincide with the signing of Tino Livramento. Newcastle have agreed a £30million plus add-ons deal with Southampton. The England under-21s international is travelling to Tyneside for his medical.