There was allegedly only one reason why Hammers defender Emmanuel Longelo stayed at West Ham during the January transfer window.
The Athletic claims that the 21-year-old Hammers youngster was wanted by the likes of Nottingham Forest, Ipswich Town and Peterborough United late on in the January window.
West Ham boss David Moyes was allegedly prepared to let him leave the London Stadium on loan until the end of the season.
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Longelo has really impressed for the under-23s this season. At 21 though, a loan move away to a Championship or League One club would definitely help him improve upon the physical side of his game.
And it seems as though he was all set to get that move until late on when chances of him leaving East London were scuppered…
West Ham defender Longelo denied January window loan exit
According to a report from The Athletic, the 21-year-old had a plethora of clubs chasing his signature during the January transfer window.
Nottingham Forest, Ipswich and Peterborough all allegedly wanted to sign the Barking-born starlet. And the Hammers were prepared to let him leave on loan.
A back injury scuppered any chance of that happening though (The Athletic).
Longelo is incredibly dynamic, is absolutely rapid and is a very solid defender. He’s pretty good going forward as well.
The 21-year-old showcased his talent for the senior side during our Europa League clash with Dinamo Zagreb back in December and was arguably the best player on the pitch.
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With Aaron Cresswell set to turn 33 before the end of this year and Arthur Masuaku being nowhere near good enough to play at left-back in the Premier League, it seems as though Manny has a fairly clear path to the first-team.
It was a shame that he wasn’t able to leave the London Stadium on loan in January in order to gain some valuable first-team experience.
Perhaps he will be given that chance next season though. Longelo is a really bright young talent and he has an exciting future with West Ham. However, we won’t know just how good he is until he plays regularly against seasoned veterans in the Championship or League One.
Read also:
£1.2m player’s baffling permanent D-Day exit from West Ham really went under the radar
Evening Standard claim West Ham actually made £60m bid for striker on deadline day
Di Marzio claims West Ham tried to sign £35 million-rated 30-year-old striker
Report: West Ham rejected the chance to sign ‘special’ £220k-a-week player on D-Day
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