Report: QPR running the rule over West Ham youngster Ben Wells

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Ben Wells has captained Premier League giants West Ham United at U18 level but could leave for Championship club Queens Park Rangers.

Lifelong West Ham United fan Ben Wells might be denied his dream of pulling on that claret and blue strip at senior level.

Because Get West London reports that the 18-year-old centre-back could be heading to London rivals Queens Park Rangers after failing to make the breakthrough into the Hammers’ first-team.

Wells, who has captained West Ham at U18 level, has been with the club since the age of six but it looks like his 12-year association could soon be coming to an end.

It is understood that QPR offered Wells a trial and he started in the U23 clash with Millwall on Monday afternoon; a 1-1 draw secured by a fabulous strike from Osman Kakay.

Interestingly, Wells lined up alongside Charlie Owens, another highly-rated London born talent who swapped Tottenham Hotspur’s academy for Loftus Road last summer.

And it remains to be seen whether, like Owens, Wells has done enough to convince the QPR chiefs that he is worthy of a permanent deal.

West Ham are famed for bringing young talents through their esteemed academy and Wells is just one of a number of exciting centre-backs to emerge of late.

Reece Burke (above) is currently on loan at Bolton Wanderers, while Reece Oxford is honing his trade at Borussia Monchengladbach. Declan Rice, who started out as a midfielder, has enjoyed a promising first season in the senior side.

But Wells may not get the chance to follow in his footsteps.