Why West Ham face fresh concern as Newcastle close in on Kyle Healy-Matthews deal

West Ham face further academy misery with Kyle Healy-Matthews set to join Newcastle.

The Hammers have been keen to keep their best talents at Rush Green in recent months.

They have agreed contract extensions with the likes of Josh Ayala, Lewis Beckford and Josh Landers.

However, Healy-Matthews will not be continuing his journey with West Ham's academy.

The right-back appeared to be destined for great things, after regularly playing above his age with the young Irons.

He will be part of the St James' Park youth setup going forward, though, as he prepares to say goodbye to Nuno Espirito Santo's side.

What is the latest on Kyle Healy-Matthews' West Ham future?

The Magpies are on the verge of completing a deal to take Healy-Matthews.

The Newcastle Chronicle's chief Newcastle writer Lee Ryder reported that the West Ham youngster has arrived in the North East ahead of a permanent switch.

It states that he is going through the "usual transfer formalities" ahead of the move.

Ryder asserts that the transfer is not completed yet, but it is going in the right direction.

Why Healy-Matthews' exit would be a big blow for the Hammers

The Hammers have already seen promising defender Emmanuel Fejokwu leave Rush Green this summer.

Now, they are also set to lose another talent, and the fact that it is to Newcastle will be an even bigger blow.

It opens the door for other Premier League teams to try and poach their best young stars away.

Nuno needs to start handing minutes out to academy players, so that they do not follow the likes of Fejokwu and Healy-Matthews out of the E20 side.

The academy could be more vital than ever, given the position that the Hammers are in, so losing their key gems is not a good look at all.

Hopefully, they can hold off as much interest as possible, and secure immediate promotion to the top-flight, so their reputation goes up again.

If they are back at the top level, there is less opportunities for youngsters to depart, as they will see the East Londoners as an attractive destination and a place where they could potentially make their name.

For now, though, that is not the case and the Championship side are vulnerable to departures.