West Ham United were one of a number of Premier League sides Scottish champions Celtic beat to the signing of Ipswich Town youngster Kundai Benyu.
It could be a case of one in, one out for Celtic this month.
According to the Daily Mail, Celtic are set to tie down Australian teenager Leo Mazis to a three-year deal. The 17-year-old, who represented Belconnen United down under, has been on trial with the Hoops since November and has obviously done enough to impress the decision makers at Parkhead.
But fellow youngster Kundai Benyu knows all too well just how difficult it is to force your way into a talented and experienced Celtic engine room.
Celtic beat off a whole host of competition to land the prodigious midfielder from Ipswich Town in the summer but Benyu has barely been seen since, making just four appearances for the first-team.
And according to the Daily Record, the 19-year-old is set to be farmed out in January with him unable to force his way into Brendan Rodgers’ immediate plans. It is tempting to wonder, then, whether life would have been different for Benyu had he joined West Ham instead.
According to the Scotsman, the Hammers were one of the sides left disappointed when Benyu pulled on the green and white of Celtic. But while West Ham have made Declan Rice an established first-team player this season, the likes of Domingos Quina and Toni Martinez continue to struggle for opportunities.
Reece Oxford, meanwhile, has even been tipped to leave on a permanent basis after being farmed out on loan to Borussia Monchengladbach in the summer.
Under Rodgers, however, Benyu will get his chance at Celtic. Patience is a virtue.
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