Aston Villa have approached West Ham in an attempt to sign Lewis Orford.
The England under-18 captain is highly regarded by academy staff and is approaching the final year of his contract. Rumours suggest there has been a stalemate between Orford and the club regarding a new deal.
This is a familiar story for West Ham, who often allow promising youngsters to enter the final year of their contracts, thereby attracting interest from other clubs.
Despite being only 17 for most of the Premier League 2 campaign, Orford had a fantastic season at West Ham, holding his own against players up to four years his senior.
I saw him in person during the EFL Trophy game against Wycombe Wanderers this season, and he was one of the few youngsters able to compete physically with the senior Wycombe players.
Orford is on the cusp of a first-team breakthrough for West Ham. Hopefully, the club can resolve his contract issue, provide a clear path into the first team, and allow him to prove himself.
Lewis will surely make an impression under Julen Lopotegui
Just have that feeling.
As a general rule our academy players do not make premiership starting eleven standard wherever it is that they end up. It’s a rare exception when one does. The academy is not a reliable source of potential first team players.
Sullivan strikes again
Sully not moyes always was always will be
Thought it was a Moyes thing.
Why is there so little backing for youth from whu academy?
Reece Oxford thought he was Gods gift and wanted a hefty pay rise so we let him go to Germany. Disappeared. West Ham were right.
Grady Diangana was sold to West Brom which sparked of protests from Mark Noble and fans….. and West Ham have been proved correct again as Diangana has scored less than 20 goals in five years.
Harrison Ashby and Sonny Perkins…… joined Newcastle and Leeds. Both loaned out to lower clubs.
Not all the youngsters are good enough to make it.
Very good shout mate!!