Domingos Quina was blocked from moving to Rangers on loan from West Ham United in the January transfer window.
Midway through the January transfer window, The Mirror reported that West Ham United had rejected Rangers’ attempt to sign 17-year-old midfielder Domingos Quina on loan for the remainder of the season.
The reason why? The Hammers believed that one of the brightest prospects in Britain would force his way into Slaven Bilic’s first-team plans by the end of the campaign. At the time, the idea did not appear too outlandish.
The Portuguese under-19 international was shining in Premier League B and, according to youth team coach Terry Westley, there was no limit to Quina’s potential.
West Ham United’s Domingos Quina won the Dylan Tombides award for the club’s best academy player in 2016/17
“It shows how far we’ve come in the last few years; attracting one of the best talents, not only in England, but in Europe,” Westley told the club’s official website back in November after Quina inked his first professional contract with The Hammers.
“He’s that good. He’s got that star quality.”
However, thanks to a series of injuries in the spring, Quina did not force his way into the senior squad by the end of the season. Overall, his only appearances in 2016/17 coming in the Europa League qualifiers against NK Domzale.
Yet, if Quina remains at West Ham this summer amid reported interest from Arsenal according to Sky Sports, Rangers should consider asking again. And, this time, the Hammers should be more receptive.
After all, while missing out on Quina in January, the Gers did manage to land Emerson Hyndman on a short-term deal from Bournemouth.
After struggling for first-team chances on the South Coast, the American shone at Ibrox and returned to the Vitality Stadium with his senior prospects greatly enhanced. Quina could have demonstrated from a similar exposure to senior football, playing in front of a sell-out Ibrox crowd in a high tempo league.
Emerson Hyndman is proof of the benefits of a short-term loan
Furthermore, although West Ham were not to know at the time, Rangers would soon replace Mark Warburton with Pedro Caixinha, a fellow Portuguese who is refreshingly committed to young players and attacking football.
Quina could have thrived under his tutelage and returned to the London Stadium a more rounded, mature and experienced player. Instead, he is still waiting for a professional league debut.
Like Hyndman, a short-term spell in Glasgow could bring Quina’s career on leaps and bounds.
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