Josh Ajala contract latest: Everything West Ham fans need to know about teenage sensation’s deal
Josh Ajala has been making waves in the West Ham academy recently.
Ajala arrived at West Ham in 2023 on scholarship terms and signed his first professional contract in November of that year.
The 19-year-old has notched 11 goals and three assists in 20 matches for the Hammers youth sides this season, in a remarkable campaign.
His future at the London Stadium is up in the air, though, with conflicting reports about his plans.
What is Ajala’s contract situation at West Ham?
Ayala’s contract is set to run out in June, and there has been no official update that a new deal is on the cards for the talented youngster.
Fabrizio Romano reported in January that the Hammers gem is attracting interest from clubs in Germany and France.
However, he may be set to stay in East London, after an update from Sean Whetstone in February, which claimed that he has verbally agreed to fresh terms.
What has Ajala said about West Ham situation?
Ajala has not opened up on his situation with comments in the press or via social media, so it is hard to know where he stands.
He seems to enjoy playing for the Irons youth side, and that was clear after he scored a brace in the National League Cup semi-final against Tamworth on 17 February.
He said: “The feeling of celebrating the winner, you can’t really describe it, the togetherness, you can see it, during the game and in the celebrations.
“It’s just amazing to have that feeling, hopefully we can have it again in the final at Boreham Wood.
“Having the fans’ backing means a lot to us, the fans, they help us players a lot, they drive us to keep going in difficult moments in the game.
“Obviously, it would mean a lot to us to have them backing us at Boreham Wood in the final.”
However, just because he likes the team and the supporters, it does not necessarily mean that he will be staying put.
What have academy figures said about Ajala?
It appears that Under-19s coach Greg Lincoln rates Ajala very highly, especially after he scored and assisted in their 3-1 win over Leeds on 28 February.
Speaking after the contest, in which the youngster had a penalty saved, he said: “It takes real courage to step up and take a penalty, whatever level you play, for me, that’s the test; if you’ve got that confidence and courage to step up and take it.
“It was a really good penalty, it was an outstanding save..
“I just said to him, ‘[like] all top players, you move on, you’re on to the next moment’, he actually got stronger after that, that wasn’t going to define his game that he played today.
“He kept knocking on the door, and eventually he got his well-deserved goal.”
Given how much Lincoln seems to rate him, it would be a huge shame if the E20 outfit lost him for free, so they need to try to tie him down for the foreseeable future.
David Sullivan needs to pull out all the stops.
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