Bradford City could make a double swoop of Newcastle United‘s Harrison Ashby and Joe White, according to a new report.
The Bantams have mounted a strong push for back-to-back promotions, and sit in a strong third-place position ahead of a pivotal month-long stretch which sees Graham Alexander’s side play both Cardiff City and Lincoln City alongside arch-rivals Huddersfield Town.
As the Valley Parade club look for new options in the January window, they look to have turned to the loan market with two deals with Newcastle United on the cards.
Bantams-Magpies Bond Continues
According to the Daily Mail’s Chief Football Reporter Craig Hope, Bradford have entered talks with the reigning Carabao Cup winners Newcastle over Harrison Ashby and Joe White with a view to signing both on loan deals.
Both teams faced each other earlier this season in the League Cup, with Newcastle comfortably winning on a night which saw boyhood Magpies fan and Bradford forward Andy Cook score at St. James’ Park.
While 35-year-old Cook is likely on his way with a loan move to join former teammate Jamie Walker at Grimsby Town, his exit could free space to bring in Ashby and White.
The former, who can play at both left-back and right-back, has previous EFL experience with Queens Park Rangers and Swansea City, playing 31 times for the Loftus Road club. The 24-year-old is yet to feature for Eddie Howe’s side since arriving from West Ham United in 2023.
Joe White, meanwhile, has struggled for game time at Bradford’s third-tier rivals Leyton Orient, playing just 46 minutes of action for Richie Wellens’ team in the league.
News of his potential move comes as news of a loan deal for Crystal Palace youngster Hindolo Mustapha has gone cold, with no updates on a potential transfer since two weeks ago.
Are Both Moves Wise Decisions?
News of two new potential signings come as a good boost for Bradford City’s push for promotion ahead of a five-game stretch which will likely decide whether they can secure a spot in the top two.
The Harrison Ashby deal would be a great scalp for the Bantams, considering his previous Championship experience at Queens Park Rangers and Swansea City, where he was a solid but not outstanding player.
With Tyreik Wright being inconsistent and Lewis Richards battling injuries throughout the season, adding a new face in the position will definitely relieve the problems occurring at left-wing-back heading down the stretch.
However, with Joe Wright struggling for game time at a team further down the league at Leyton Orient, his move feels a lot more questionable, having struggled to make an impression at Brisbane Road and during his previous experience in League One with Exeter City.
City do need to improve their options at attacking midfield, though, and with exits possible for George Lapslie and Tommy Leigh, signing a second option alongside Louie Sibley is needed.
However, the Bantams’ priority should be for a new forward with Andy Cook’s looming exit, with the loss against Mansfield Town highlighting a lack of a clinical goalscorer, which could have changed that game if they had capitalised on their early dominance.