Josh Ajala has West Ham summer transfer ‘lined up’ after what he did
West Ham have plenty of work to do in the summer transfer window, as Graham Potter looks to put his stamp on the club.
It has been a slow start to life in East London for Potter and he has struggled to get the standards up in the way he would have hoped.
The Hammers have moved themselves to safety, sitting 17th in the Premier League table, but supporters will be crying out for the end of the campaign.
Potter will certainly need to put his focus on first-team matters, but if he is going to embark on a long-term project, then the boss will have to look at matters throughout the side.
West Ham youth gem stands out
Potter is well known for the work he does with young players and he has shown his abilities to transform those youngsters into first-team players.
With that in mind, the manager may have had his eye caught by the West Ham under-18 side, who won the Premier League Cup after a 2-1 victory against Reading.
One man who was the standout for the Hammers is Josh Ajala, who scored both goals for the Irons to take the victory.
| Compeition | Appearances | Goals |
| Premier League 2 | 18 | 7 |
| Under-18 Premier League | 5 | 3 |
On both occasions, the 18-year-old got himself into perfect positions in the box to get on the end of the crosses from his teammates.
Potter can reward Ajala
While first-team matters are pressing, there is no way that Potter won’t be aware of what Ajala did for the under-18s on Tuesday (22 April).
Clearly, a step up to the first team is far too soon, especially given the pressure being put on the manager to make sure his side performs next season.
However, the youngster has surely lined himself up for a loan move in the summer transfer window, with such an opportunity providing the path to experience in men’s football and building strength and minutes.
There are plenty of young players who go lower down the pyramid at a younger age and are given the chances to play in the first team, coming back to their parent club with a readiness for football higher up the chain.
A loan move for Ajala would give Potter the ability to weigh up if he is going to be one for the long-term future at the London Stadium, while also rewarding him for his success.
Academy football can only get you so far, and after his exciting performance on the stage in the final, surely West Ham have to prioritise his development for what the future could hold.