West Ham United fight to keep major prospect from leaving as new contract offers tabled
West Ham are fighting to keep hold of youngster Chinaza Nwosu and have made contract offers to try to keep him at the club, according to John Cross.
The Mirror journalist reported via the paper’s online transfer live-blog on 3 July (6.45pm) that the teenager is seen as “big prospect” after representing England at under-16 level but the Hammers are “battling” to prevent him from leaving.
Nwosu, 16, has reportedly garnered interest from multiple other clubs so new deals have been tabled to keep him in East London.
West Ham have already seen the likes of young forward Divin Mubama and homegrown first-team defender Ben Johnson leave this summer after rejecting new deals at the London Stadium.
West Ham in battle to prevent Chinaza Nwosu from exit
There has hardly been a deluge of academy talent breaking through to the senior side in recent seasons under David Moyes, with Sonny Perkins another notable departure in controversial circumstances to Leeds United.
West Ham would surely like for that to change under Julen Lopetegui but they will clearly need to keep hold of their best young talents until they are at an age to have an impact of the first team.
Nwosu made 12 appearances in the under-18s Premier League last term despite his age, and it appears the Hammers would be loath to lose him.
But the recent record of success with new contract offers for players who have come through the ranks isn’t great so another name joining the list of exits would be a disappointment.
It was reported by Academy Scoop on 6 April that Manchester United were one of a number of Premier League sides who were watching Nwosu.
So it would be no great leap to assume that it is English top flight rivals who are providing the threat to the Hammers now.
In other West Ham news, Dharmesh Sheth has shared a contract talks update as the Irons chase a transfer with Manchester United.
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