Dan Ashworth is aware of a 'Rolls Royce' talent at Peterborough United after negotiating a deadline-day deal for Kell Watts. That is according to Posh chairman Darragh MacAnthony, who claims Newcastle United's sporting director has been aware of the unnamed rising star since his time at Brighton.
Peterborough secured a loan move for Watts on Thursday, despite the defender's knee injury which is expected to rule him out of action for a further month. The 22-year-old was involved in Eddie Howe's first-team squad over pre-season, but was forced to undergo an operation which will likely keep him out of action until October at the earliest.
MacAnthony insists Watts was the first-choice pick for Posh boss Grant McCann, with the loanee impressing with League One champions Wigan Athletic last term. The Peterborough chairman then went on to reveal a conversation between Ashworth and director of football Barry Fry, during which the topic of an 'unbelievable' player came under discussion.
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He told The Hard Truth podcast: "Dan's doing his job obviously trying to get a deal, and we're saying we can't pay for this boy until he's fit. Dan was really good with us, and Baz obviously joked saying I can't believe you're not in for our boy without naming him. Dan said are you talking about the Rolls Royce? Baz was like what, and he was like we know all about your boy.
"He said the reports that Brighton had got, unbelievable, he's a Rolls Royce of a centre-half but we [ Newcastle ] are looking at the attacking end of the pitch at the moment. He said to Barry, absolute Rolls Royce, every scout report that went into Brighton was unbelievable."
MacAnthony did not name the player, but teenage defender Ronnie Edwards has reportedly been the subject of intense transfer speculation in recent weeks. The 19-year-old remains at London Road, despite claims of interest from the likes of Chelsea, Crystal Palace and Tottenham this summer.
Fry has previously confirmed that 'big clubs' have asked to be kept informed about Edwards' availability following his impressive form last season. Peterborough's director of football outlined their stance on any deal, insisting it would need to be a 'big bid' which included a loan back as part of the agreement.
MacAnthony provided a detailed insight into the thinking behind the deadline-day move for Watts, with the Posh considering two defensive targets at the end of the window. The League One side ultimately moved for the Magpies academy graduate,
MacAnthony explained: "We knew we were looking at bringing a left-sided centre half in, and they are like prehistoric dinosaurs. You cannot find left-sided centre halfs as you're looking at balance down that left side.
"The manager, god bless him, came up with really good options. One from the Prem who is the boy we did sign, but he's not fit, we did a lot of due diligence on him. Our medical people spoke to Newcastle's medical people about how long he'd be out, four to five weeks. He's back on the grass, is there any issues with it? No, they gave us the full report. The manager told me if he's fully fit, he's my number one. I want him now.
"We did a really good deal with Newcastle. They were really good with us, we start paying for him when he's back fit. Newcastle said to us take him until January, that way if there's any issues with the injury you're not locked in until the summer and you can't break those agreements and you end up paying for the player until the end of June.
"Fans were all moaning at me on deadline day that we're signing an injured player, we're losing money, again more stupid recruitment. I'm just like give me a f****** break. A, the player is back in four weeks, he's missing six games. I said to the manager can you win games without him? He said yeah.
"Secondly, we have a really good relationship with Newcastle. If the boy enjoys his stay and he's fully fit, he's going to stay with us longer than January. And if he doesn't, he doesn't. What's the flip side? Take him and be stuck till the summer if there's any injury issues and I can't get anyone else in? Sometimes you have to make the call."
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