SHARE

West Ham youth products Harrison Ashby and Emmanuel Longelo look set to remain with the Hammers, following reports that they could leave the club.

It was reported on Wednesday by @TheAthleticUK, that the West Ham duo will train with the first-team squad next week despite being linked with moves away this summer.

With Harrison Ashby, The Hammers have reportedly taken the option to extend the 20-year-old defender’s contract with the club past this summer.

In addition to this, fellow Irons defender Longelo has reportedly rejected a move to QPR this week, with it known that West Ham are unwilling to let the 21-year-old leave easily.

This is promising news for the developments of these two youth academy products and for the West Ham squad. The duo might now be given the opportunities by David Moyes to break into the first team throughout the 2022/23 season.

West Ham will also play in the Europa Conference League next year, and so will need extra reinforcements from the club’s best youth players in order to keep the squad’s top players fit and healthy.

Both defenders have impressed over the past season and have been promoted to first team training and matches as a result. Ashby in particular has earned three call-ups to the Scotland U21 squad as well, showing his improvements over the past couple of seasons.

Longelo also has been linked with several moves away from the Hammers, with clubs like Rangers, Bournemouth and QPR all reporting interest in the young defender.

However, both potentially now staying is very positive news for the club, who have several youth products ready and waiting to burst into the senior men’s squad next year.

The likes of Sonny Perkins and Jamal Baptiste have all featured under David Moyes already, with Ashby and Longelo joining them in a long line of ambitious and hungry Hammers.

Moyes will hopefully look to his youth set-up next season in games where they can be used effectively to help their personal development and the team going forward.