West Ham United: Emmanuel Longelo close to signing long-term Birmingham City contract
Emmanuel Longelo is close to completing his West Ham United exit with the 22-year-old set to sign a long-term contract with Birmingham City, according to Roshane Thomas.
It’s understood the Blues will pay £500,000 for the academy product, who has spent the first half of the season on loan at St Andrew’s.
Thomas has since claimed a deal is close to being finalised ahead of Tuesday’s deadline.
“Manny Longelo’s move to Birmingham City is close to being finalised. The fee is £500,000 plus add-ons. Long-term contract. Another youngster leaving West Ham’s academy,” wrote The Athletic journalist (via Twitter, 31 January).
Deeper problems?
Does Longelo’s departure mean there are deeper problems which need unearthing at West Ham? The full-back follows Harrison Ashby and Sonny Perkins in leaving the Hammers before being given a shot in the first team.
It’s a shame to see a younger player leave before they can fulfil their potential and perhaps the prospect of working under David Moyes isn’t an appealing one. The Scot is known for having his favourites and has only been open to giving the Hammers’ younger stars a run out in the cups this season.
The West Ham boss will have to start giving some of the Irons’ younger players more first-team opportunities in the coming months. Players need to know they have a chance of succeeding and unfortunately the route to the first team looks incredibly hard at present.
It’s been a relatively quiet window for the Hammers, with Longelo’s exit potentially the only piece of business that gets done on deadline day.