The Greater Manchester club narrowly missed out on being in the League Two promotion playoffs last season due to a defeat on the final day.
Salford have one of the bigger budgets in the fourth tier of English football and are under pressure to get promotion in the upcoming campaign.
Neil Wood is looking to add several key players to his squad and improving midfield is a priority.
And it has been claimed that Salford are making progress in talks to sign Colchester midfielder Ashley, who could cost £150,000.
There are several other clubs who are interested in getting their hands on a midfielder who impressed in League Two last season.
Oxford, MK Dons and Portsmouth are known admirers of the player but Salford are leading the race to sign him.
The Ammies are hoping to sort out a fee and personal terms to take Ashley to the Peninsula Stadium in the ongoing transfer window.
It remains to be seen any of Ashley’s other suitors will now push to rival Salford for his signature.
