West Ham United will have decisions to make regarding a whole host of talented Under-21s this summer, from Airidas Golambeckis to Preston Fearon.
Too good for reserve-team football, not yet proven on the senior stage? There are certainly a handful of Hammers prospects who fall into that category.
But while Mohamadou Kante is very much a first-team member these days, while Ezra Mayers looks well-placed to step into a Max Kilman-shaped hole then his likely departure arises, what is the next step for the likes of Golambeckis, Fearon, Josh Ajala, Finlay Herrick and co?
How good can Ezra Mayers be for West Ham? ⭐
Mayers is now an England U19 international!
Ezra Mayers of West Ham United goes forward with the ball during the Emirates FA Cup Third Round match between West Ham United and Queens Park Rangers
Photo by Kevin Hodgson/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images
According to The Athletic, both Golambeckis and Fearon had offers to leave West Ham United on loan in recent months. For differing reasons, both would stay put.
West Ham United turned down offers for Airidas Golambeckis
The Athletic explain that West Ham closed the door on a potential short-term exit for Golambeckis because they felt the teenager was needed for ‘squad depth’.
Made captain of the Under-21s at just 17 – like Declan Rice and Mark Noble – Golambeckis has been training with Nuno Espirito Santo’s seniors for a few months now.
Airidas Golambeckis during AFC Wimbledon v West Ham United U21 - Vertu Trophy
Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images
And though the towering centre-back is yet to make his first-team debut, he was on the bench four times in December and January. Opportunities have slipped away since the arrival of Axel Disasi, though.
MORE WEST HAM STORIES
As for Fearon, The Athletic explain that it was he who turned his nose up at loan offers during the winter window. The skilful attacking midfielder felt he was better served continuing his development with Greg Lincoln’s reserves.
Standing out in that National League Cup defeat by Boreham Wood, Fearon continues to justify the glowing praise of Jarrod Bowen. The West Ham skipper thinks his side have a ‘special’ talent on their hands. With ten goals in 34 second-string games – compared to none in 2024/25 – Fearon is rapidly adding new strings to his bow.
FA Cup quarter-final looms as West Ham face summer decisions
Offers, of course, are expected to roll in again in the summer. Ditto for goalkeeping protege Finlay Herrick, striker Josh Ajala, plus other, less heralded talents such as Regan Clayton, Tyron Akpata and the stylish, left-sided centre-half Rayan Oyebade.
Summerville touch-and-go for the FA Cup quarter-final! 🏆
Who would you pick to START vs Leeds?
Select your favourite for each position and we will collate an XI based on your overall votes!
Golambeckis and Fearon are both only 18, so there is no rush for them to graduate from reserve-team football. But West Ham may feel that, at the risk of stagnating their development in Premier League 2, a first loan spell in the EFL, or perhaps even non-league, may prove more beneficial.
Until then, expect to see both players feature heavily during the pre-season tour of 2026.
Moreover, should the Hammers suffer relegation – perish the thought – the likes of Golambeckis, Fearon, Ajala and Akpata could find themselves climbing up the first-team ladder quicker than expected.
Sunday’s FA Cup clash with Leeds, meanwhile, could be the final chance this season for Kante and Mayers to make their mark.
Join Our Newsletter
Receive a digest of our best West Ham content each week direct to your mailbox