Credit: Imago

Josh Edwards

Tue 28 April 2026 12:10, UK

West Ham United‘s battle against relegation could decide Ollie Scarles’ future.

At the start of the year, the Hammers looked destined for the drop, and while it remains possible, Nuno Espirito Santo has worked wonders to ensure that safety is in their own hands.

With four games left to be played, the Irons sit two points above the drop zone, and three points behind Nottingham Forest, who have found some form of their own.

Players like Jarrod Bowen, Tomas Soucek and Konstantinos Mavropanos have proved their worth through this recent resurgence, while others have been forced to watch from the sidelines.

Scarles is one of them to be absent from the starting 11 as of late, and his future at the London Stadium may hinge on the outcome of the season.

What’s next for Ollie Scarles?

Scarles was West Ham’s breakthrough prospect last season, and he looked set to continue that in the current campaign.

And to some extent, he did, but his gametime has dried up significantly in recent weeks, as showcased by the fact he has failed to make an appearance in any of West Ham’s last seven Premier League games, with just 30 minutes played in the last 10.

His lack of minutes coincides with West Ham’s form, with Nuno having no reason to change what isn’t broken, but for him, it’s certainly a negative.

And if the Hammers are to stay in the Premier League, it’s unlikely that the current situation would change, with an exit on the cards this summer.

West Ham could sanction Scarles loan

It’s clear that Scarles still has value to this squad, but at his age, he needs to be playing regular senior football.

He has bags of potential, and that was first noticed by David Moyes, who labelled his senior debut as “exceptional” back in 2022.

Under Nuno, he seems unlikely to get that level of gametime, meaning a loan exit may be the best option for all parties in the summer.

Given his performances in the Premier League when he has played, it’s unlikely he would be short of suitors, and if he were to leave, it would be the Irons’ responsibility to ensure he ends up at a club that can guarantee him game time.