Three sides, including Doncaster Rovers and Wigan Athletic, are preparing to battle to sign Wrexham midfielder Harry Ashfield.
The 20-year-old has been viewed as a star for the future in North Wales, and after three cameo appearances for the Red Dragons, he was finally allowed to head out on loan for the first time to join League Two club Cheltenham Town.
Rovers Eye Ashfield Move
Ashfield’s future at the Racecourse has now been cast into doubt, though, with Football League World now reporting that Wrexham could allow him to leave on a permanent basis, depending on what offers they receive.
Three suitors for the midfielder have already emerged in the form of Doncaster Rovers and Wigan Athletic from League One, while another spell in League Two could be on the cards, with pre-season title favourites Salford City also keen.
The Wales youth international played 17 times at Whaddon Road last season, playing a key part in Steve Cotterill’s rebuild of Cheltenham, which saw them finish 18th, 13 points above the relegated Harrogate Town.
Across his stint in Gloucestershire, he proved to be a shrewd loan acquisition, and was ranked as one of the best midfielders in the fourth tier in terms of touches taken, interceptions and successful passes per 90.
Wigan have taken several steps to strengthen their midfield this summer, with Max Power brought back and handed the captain’s armband, while they have sourced two promising attacking midfielders on loan in Luke Harris and Reggie Walsh.
Doncaster meanwhile made an early window swoop for Bristol Rovers wantaway Isaac Hutchinson, who has been their only midfield signing of the summer as it stands.
However, Grant McCann’s side have been linked with other options ahead of the deadline in less than two weeks’ time, with reports stating that they are keen on recruiting St. Patrick’s Athletic‘s Kian Leavy.
Should Wrexham Sell Harry Ashfield?
The rapid progress of Wrexham’s rise up the leagues has meant they have frequently had to make tough decisions when it comes to some of their players who may have been ready for first-team action.
That has been seen even in this window, with Arthur Okonkwo sent packing as a result of their recruitment of Sunderland’s Anthony Patterson, and Ryan Longman now looks to have lost his position following the arrival of Danny Imray.
Harry Ashfield may have been a player who, in time, could have broken through into Phil Parkinson’s plans, but with the rate of recruitment, is now seemingly stuck with little chance of a path forward in Phil Parkinson’s plans.
Now is probably the best time for the Red Dragons to cash in while interest is hot, and with three sides currently in the running, a bidding war could maximise the returns they pick up from the 20-year-old.
Doncaster Should Press On With Deal
While there was not much wrong with their midfield options last season, Doncaster Rovers will need to continue to strengthen their squad in case of future transfer swoops.
Owen Bailey is a well-admired figure by many other clubs, and while his short-term future is secured after signing a three-year-contract ahead of the season, attempts to pry the 27-year-old away could come further down the line.
Bringing someone in now with the versatility to play either attacking or central midfield could be a huge benefit if Bailey or anyone else is poached, and in Harry Ashfield, they can secure that in someone who is highly rated by Wrexham.
In a promising loan spell at Cheltenham Town, he showed glimpses of what he could do in senior football, and would arrive in South Yorkshire already with some familiarity, with former teammate Isaac Hutchinson already established there.
Ashfield may not be handed regular starts immediately, but in time he could be a key player for a Doncaster side aiming to rise higher and higher up the table, and therefore should be a key target before anyone else can recruit him.
