Julen Lopetegui has seemingly just made a big call regarding the future of West Ham United midfielder Andy Irving.
Andy Irving has already been given a big chance to shine by Julen Lopetegui during West Ham United’s pre-season campaign so far.
Tim Steidten is in charge of transfers, but Lopetegui obviously tells him which players he wants to keep and which ones he’s prepared to lose.
The 24-year-old really impressed during our pre-season friendly clash with Dagenham and Redbridge on Saturday, and scored a superb goal from outside the box.
But does he really have a future with West Ham? Or will he be moved on at the first opportunity?
Ex-West Ham boss David Moyes signed the midfielder from SK Austria Klagenfurt on transfer deadline day in the summer of 2023, and then immediately loaned him back to the Austrian club.
And Irving openly admitted earlier this year that it is his dream to play for the Hammers first-team next season.
Could he realise that dream now? Well, Lopetegui has made an emphatic decision regarding the 24-year-old midfielder is seems…
Julen Lopetegui makes big Andy Irving decision
So where does the Scot actually fit in at the London Stadium?
I’m not sure that he has the ability to be a regular starter under Lopetegui at West Ham.
However, he has showcased that he’s capable of filling in for us if need be at the very least.
And now a new development has emerged on the future of Andy Irving, after two clubs made a move to sign him.
According to a report from The Athletic, Lopetegui has batted away two loan enquires for the 24-year-old Hammers midfielder – one from Espanyol and one from a team in the Bundesliga.
Hammers head coach Julen Lopetegui must think very highly of Andy Irving, because he needs to shift some players this summer in order to raise some cash.
West Ham would undoubtedly have got a decent loan fee for the Scottish ace, and the majority of his wages covered.
Lopetegui and Steidten rejecting the approaches for the former Hearts man prove to me that he has a role to play for the Hammers this season.
However, I still fully expect Lopetegui to go out and sign a top-class box-to-box midfielder before the transfer window slams shut next month.
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