Here are the West Ham United lunchtime headlines for Sunday, June 7.
Ngakia turns down contract extension
West Ham’s Jeremy Ngakia will not sign a short-term contract extension to remain at the club until the end of the season, according to a report in the Guardian.
The 19-year-old last month rejected a new deal worth a reported £5,000 a week, and the Hammers are now expected to lose him on a free.
Ngakia has impressed at West Ham since making his debut in January, but clearly does not see his future at the club.
There was hope that he might agree to a short-term extension as West Ham seek to avoid relegation. As it stands, though, he will be out of contract with seven games of the season remaining.
Former Leeds striker backs potential West Ham swap deal
Noel Whelan has encouraged West Ham to pursue a deal for QPR attacking midfielder Eberechi Eze in the summer.
The Hammers have been linked with a move for the 21-year-old, who has caught the eye in the Championship this season, scoring 12 goals in 37 league appearances.
And ex-Leeds forward Whelan has suggested the transfer could be facilitated if Jordan Hugill, who has spent the campaign on loan at QPR, stays at Loftus Road permanently.
“I’d like to have Eze on board, I really admire him, I think he’s a fantastic midfield player,” Whelan told Football Insider.
“He’s very comfortable on the ball, very composed, great engine, gets forward, great feet going into that final third, I’ve praised him so much when I’ve been at Leeds and seen him, watched him play and I’ve seen him grow and get better.
“He seems like a great acquisition for the future, to get a player like that on board, because I think he’ll be a fantastic player, I really do. It doesn’t surprise me that clubs like West Ham are looking at him.
“It would be a great swap deal. The clubs will be happy with that, he’ll have the opportunity to showcase his ability at the very top level with West Ham.”
Hammers favourites to sign Batshuayi
West Ham have emerged as favourites to secure the signing of Chelsea striker Michy Batshuayi, according to the Daily Express.
The imminent arrival of Timo Werner means the Belgian is no longer needed at Stamford Bridge.
Batshuayi is expected to command a fee of £40m, but the Hammers are reportedly willing to meet Chelsea’s demands.
The 26-year-old, who has scored 25 goals in 77 appearances for Chelsea, is also a potential target for Crystal Palace and Newcastle.
