Josh Ajala is “expected to leave West Ham” when his contract expires at the end of the season, according to journalist Fabrizio Romano.
The 19-year-old joined from Chelsea’s academy in the summer of 2023, but he has not made a single senior appearance for the club.
Ajala was on the substitutes bench against Burton Albion in the FA Cup on Saturday, but head coach Nuno Espirito Santo decided against sending him on.
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That was not a surprise, considering that the Hammers needed extra time to overcome their League One opponents.
Where is Ajala likely to go?
It appears as if the teenager could move to a club on the continent. Romano claims that he is already “in talks” with teams in France and Germany.
Foreign clubs would only have to pay limited compensation for Ajala. The figure is usually in the lower to mid six figures for young players moving abroad at the end of their contracts.
The teenager may opt to wait until the summer, when he can officially discuss a move to another English team, but it seems he is keen on joining a club who can offer some guarantees of playing first-team football.
How many other West Ham players are out of contract in June?
There are three members of the first-team squad who are set to leave the London Stadium on a free transfer as things stand.
Adama Traore was only given a six-month contract following his move from Fulham. Any extension is contingent on the Spaniard’s performances and whether the Irons manage to avoid relegation.
Lukasz Fabianski rejoined the club in September, but he has spent a lot of time on the treatment table with a back problem, and the assumption is he won’t be handed an extension.
Callum Wilson is also expected to move on when the campaign is over. There was a chance that the 33-year-old’s contract could be terminated early last month, but he is back in the plans of Nuno.
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