It will take a ‘significant shift’ for West Ham United to keep reported Liverpool target Jeremy Ngakia as the clock ticks down to change the player’s mind.
Read: West Ham owners questioned for not listening to former Hammer over French star
Ngakia looks set to leave West Ham on June 30 after refusing to sign a new deal worth around £5,000 per week.
And the Hammers have just six days – until June 23 – to persuade Ngakia to stay.
West Ham’s hopes of keeping the homegrown talent in east London took a blow when reports emerged this week that Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp was interested.
Ngakia linked with Liverpool move
According to an exclusive report from Read Liverpool, the Reds have made contact with Ngakia’s agent.
The young defender nurtured by West Ham’s academy and given his big chance on the Premier League stage by David Moyes, has shocked West Ham by refusing to even extend his stay until the end of a season interrupted by the global health crisis.
The 19-year-old right-back was thrown in at the deep end of West Ham’s Premier League relegation battle before the enforced break.
Moyes showed great trust in the youngster, selecting him ahead of veteran Pablo Zabaleta.
But the lure of joining champions elect Liverpool – the reigning European champions – under a manager like Klopp may prove difficult to resist.
Despite uncertainty over Ngakia’s future, Moyes played him for one portion of West Ham’s friendly with Crystal Palace at the weekend.
Hammers hierarchy have told starlet to name his demands
And Ngakia is said to have turned in a superb display as he scored a wonderful goal to secure a 2-1 victory.
There has been talk Ngakia wants £10,000 per week to stay.
But Claret & Hugh claim the West Ham hierarchy have told Ngakia to effectively name his price by asking his representatives ‘what do you want?’
As well as Liverpool, the defender has also been linked with the likes of Crystal Palace, Watford, Arsenal and Tottenham.
Moyes has described the situation as a ‘kick in the teeth’ (Evening Standard). But he says the club hopes they can still change Ngakia’s mind.
Now reliable insider ExWHUemployee has revealed the latest on the Ngakia situation.
West Ham insider delivers verdict as Liverpool lurk
And it seems the writing is on the wall as it would take a ‘significant shift’ for West Ham to keep hold of the promising young star.
“Yes (it is true the club have told Ngakia ‘tell us what you want’), I’ll explain more on the podcast but it does appear that negotiations have proven challenging because the two sides have not got close yet,” ExWHUemployee said on Twitter.
“There is still time but gonna need a significant shift at the moment.”
Judging by ExWHUemployee’s update the situation looks bleak for West Ham but encouraging for Liverpool.
There may still be a glimmer of hope for the Hammers.
But with so much interest in the player, his demands will likely go through the roof to stay.
West Ham and Liverpool fans will know more by next Tuesday (June 23). That is the Premier League’s deadline for registering the unique deal extensions FIFA has permitted as a result of the delayed finish to the season.
If Ngakia has not renewed his deal by then, he will be leaving West Ham.
Read: Everton make first move in battle with West Ham for free agent
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