Ollie Scarles may well face a real battle ahead if he is to keep his place in the West Ham United first-team.
Scarles was first thrust into first-team action for West Ham way back in 2021 when he was just a teenager.
However, it took him until last season before he began playing regularly for the Hammers first-team.
Both Graham Potter and Nuno Espirito Santo have used the 20-year-old consistently over the past year.
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Not to knock him as a player, but he’s hardly played in months!
Scarles bounced back really well for West Ham earlier this season after making a terrible mistake against Fulham in December.
But could Nuno already be looking to upgrade on the 20-year-old Englishman?
Terrible news for Ollie Scarles as West Ham could sign Italian left-back
Scarles has performed admirably at left-back for the Hammers so far this season.
However, it seems like Nuno could be looking at potential ways to bolster that particular department of his squad before Monday’s deadline.
According to a report from La Nazione (print edition January 29th), West Ham are keen to sign Fiorentina left-back Niccolo Fortini.
And it is claimed that the Hammers could look to bring him in as part of a deal that would see either Kyle Walker-Peters or Soungoutou Magassa head in the opposite direction.
It must be said, it’s highly unlikely that will happen but we’ve certainly seen stranger things in football.
The 19-year-old Italian has played 23 times for Fiorentina this season and has impressed with his technical ability and tenacious tackling.
With El Hadji Malick Diouf West Ham’s first choice left-back, the Hammers signing Fortini would be bad news for Scarles.
It would indicate that Nuno isn’t fully on board with the idea that the 20-year-old Hammers left-back is Premier League ready.
Is Ollie Scarles really good enough for West Ham?
Scarles always gives his all but there are question marks hanging over his head in regards to his positioning and decision-making.
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While the West Ham fans love to see talented young players come through the ranks, they don’t want them to be included in the first-team for the sake of it.
Scarles may well go on and enjoy a successful Premier League career.
However, it will be a bad sign for him if the Hammers are making moves to sign another left-back this winter.
Especially given the fact that West Ham should be prioritising the additions of a centre-back and a central midfielder.
Fortini is a young and unproven player himself but he clearly has a lot of talent. Ollie Scarles will be watching this situation develop closely during the final few days of the transfer window.
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