Report: Manager readies £1.5m loan payment for West Ham starlet
West Ham United starlet Grady Diangana has been one of the breakout stars of the season in the Championship, starring on loan for West Bromwich Albion.
The 21-year-old has five goals and five assists for the promotion-chasing Baggies, who are hugely keen to keep him until the end of the campaign.
Indeed, former Hammers boss and current West Brom chief Slaven Bilic is even ready to toss the Irons a big loan fee.
The Daily Telegraph reported on Friday that the Croatian is willing to offer the east London outfit £1.5million to keep hold of the winger for the remainder of the season.
The Baggies manager wants to agree a deal with West Ham which would ensure Diangana stays at The Hawthorns until the summer, terminating a release clause the Hammers currently possess.
At the moment, David Moyes can bring Diangana back to the London Stadium if he so chooses, as long as he does so before January 27.
But Bilic has the backing of the West Brom board, and is even considering offering a further £3million to keep the youngster on loan next season, regardless of which division his club are in.
Should West Ham accept this deal?
Surely the club should accept the £1.5million payment, at least. Yes, the team could perhaps benefit from Diangana in the short-term, but in terms of his overall development it’s much better for him to stay where he is until the end of the season.
As for whether they should take the £3million for Diangana to be loaned again next term, that’s a whole different kettle of fish.
The youngster is going to be coming back a much-improved player next season, and one Moyes will need. There’s no need to loan him next time out as well. No, take the £1.5million, but eschew the £3million.
In other West Ham news, a former England international has had his say on the future of a struggling Hammers ace.