West Ham United ready to agree new deal for academy star Callum Marshall
West Ham are ready to secure a new deal for striker talent Callum Marshall while talks with Divin Mubama remain stalled, according to Claret & Hugh.
The Hammers news website reported on 22 November that West Ham are prepared to hand their academy star a brand new contract following his performances for the club’s development squad.
The 18-year-old has been in fine form for the Under-21s, scoring 14 goals in nine appearances across Premier League 2 and the EFL Trophy, including hat-tricks against Leeds United and Middlesbrough. He was also an unused substitute for the first team against Lincoln City in the EFL Cup in September.
A much-needed success story
Recent news of Divin Mubama not signing a new contract has put a dampener on things at the club, with the forward one of the most promising products from West Ham’s academy in recent times.
It remains to be seen whether the player and club can work out an agreement, with wage demands and lack of first-team minutes understood to be the main issues.
However, Hammers fans will be delighted with the news that Marshall is closing in on a new contract, a striker whom the club have been calling out for over many seasons.
The forward has racked up 60 appearances across West Ham’s U18s and U21s, scoring 44 goals and assisting a further eight. However, Marshall’s lack of minutes at senior level will need to be acknowledged before he is brought into the squad to be a first-team player.
Marshall has proven to be ready for international level, too. At just 18 years of age, Marshall was handed his first cap for Northern Ireland by Michael O’Neill and has since made three appearances, playing 37 minutes.
The striker is an extremely exciting talent, one that West Ham fans will not be able to wait to see flourish under David Moyes. And with the recent injury to Michail Antonio, that opportunity may arise sooner than most would think.
In other West Ham news, ‘Limited’ budget emerges for Hammers heading into January window.