West Ham United ‘consider 2025-26 loan exit already’ for striker
West Ham United may have struggled in front of goal this season, but one of their EFL loanees has had no such issues.
Graham Potter has inherited a West Ham frontline ill-equipped for the high-octane nature of the Premier League, with Michail Antonio, Niclas Fullkrug and Danny Ings all over 30 and well past their peak.
Long-term injuries to both Antonio and Fullkrug necessitated reinforcements in the winter transfer window, albeit Evan Ferguson is yet to find the net since his loan move from Brighton last month.
As a result, Potter will be on the hunt for new strikers at season’s end with Jonathan David on West Ham’s radar, but there’s one youngster already on West Ham’s books who could also come into consideration.
Callum Marshall loan lined up after Huddersfield Town displays
That youngster – currently “thriving” in League One with Huddersfield Town – is Callum Marshall, who has bounced back from last season’s disappointing loan spell at West Brom in style for the Terriers.
| Player | Appearances | Starts | Goals | Assists |
| Callum Marshall | 36 | 28 | 9 | 4 |
The 20-year-old has nine goals and four assists in 36 appearances across all competitions, and The Athletic journalist Roshane Thomas reported on 4 March that he could take a further step up next term.
With Freddie Potts’ successful loan move to Portsmouth as an example, Thomas said a return to the Championship could prove to be “the next step” in Marshall’s development, even if Huddersfield go up.
Callum Marshall can continue step up to West Ham first-team
If the Hammers finding a new top-class striker comes to pass in the summer, and coincides with Huddersfield winning promotion back to the Championship, a transfer for Marshall could be on the cards.
However, given that Potter is a manager who champions the progression of youth players into the first-team – as has been made clear by Ollie Scarles’ breakthrough – he’ll want Marshall to stay on the books.
The upcoming summer window promises to be one of sweeping changes at the London Stadium, particularly in the attacking ranks given the uncertainty over Fullkrug and Ings’ long-term futures.
As a result, and with Ferguson’s loan deal containing no permanent buy option, Potter could well be encouraged to see what Marshall can do at a higher level, with a view to that first-team berth opening up.