Newcastle United agree second January signing after Anthony Gordon arrival

Newcastle United are closing in on a deal for West Ham United defender Harrison Ashby as the transfer window enters its final days.

Much of the transfer talk on Tyneside has surrounding the Mapgies move for Everton star Anthony Gordon and it is expected official confirmation of that deal will arrive over the next 24 hours after the England Under-21 winger underwent medical tests on Saturday.

The progress of the move for Gordon has allowed United to move onto one of their other key targets for the January window as they look to provide competition and backup for Kieran Trippier. There had been widespread speculation of a move for Real Valladolid right-back Ivan Fresneda and Leeds United’s Cody Drameh - but Sky Sports News have now reported a deal has been agreed for Hammers youngster Ashby.

A deal worth around £3m has been mooted after an agreement was struck on Sunday and the Scotland Under-21 defender will now travel to the North East to undergo a medical and complete the formalities of the move. United are believed to have come close to adding Ashby to their squad during the final days of the summer transfer window but reignited their interest in the Hammers prospect over the last week.

There were reports West Ham rejected an initial offer for Ashby in the last few days but a follow-up bid has now been successful and Ashby should be officially added to Eddie Howe’s squad ahead of Tuesday night’s deadline. Ashby’s imminent arrival will place a question over the long-term future of Javier Manquillo as he moved into the final 18 months of his current deal at St James Park.