West Ham United must alter Callum Marshall transfer stance amid West Brom interest
West Ham striker Callum Marshall is reportedly set to be sent out on loan to a Championship club in the January transfer window.
Claret & Hugh reported on Sunday (7 January) that West Brom are among the second-tier sides interested in signing Marshall this month.
The chances of that now happening look slim on the basis of a couple of injuries to a couple more attacking players against Bristol City on Sunday (7 January).
Not only were United held to a disappointing 1-1 draw in the FA Cup third-round tie, they saw Lucas Paqueta hobble off in the first half.
Jarrod Bowen also required treatment at the full-time whistle and limped down the London Stadium tunnel in another possible blow.
Factor in that Michail Antonio is still not ready to return from an injury of his own, while Mohammed Kudus is away on Africa Cup of Nations duty, and it is fair to see David Moyes’ attacking options are very thin.
West Ham are therefore simply not in a position to be loaning out a player that would likely be a regular starter with West Brom in the Championship.
Instead, Moyes may now have little choice but to hand Marshall an opportunity against Sheffield United next time out in the Premier League.
The good news for West Ham is that the trip to Bramall Lane is not until 21 January, so that gives Antonio, Paqueta and Bowen time to recover.
Marshall has proved his worth in Premier League 2 this season, having scored 16 goals in 10 games, and he looks like a very bright prospect.
It may well be that the Northern Irishman is now fast-tracked into the first team, and that would not necessarily be a bad thing for everyone concerned.
In other West Ham news, the Hammers face competition from Crystal Palace and Aston Villa for one of their long-term targets.