West Ham United will be in the market for first-team additions this summer, but it looks like they’re already lining up a couple of youngsters for the future.
Yes, a striker, central midfielder and centre back will be on David Moyes’ wish list, but it’s good to see West Ham looking to land promising teenagers too.
The Sun claim that West Ham have taken Portsmouth talent Charlie Bell on trial with a view to a permanent move.
Bell, 18, is also wanted by Brighton and Hove Albion after being told that he won’t be given another deal by Pompey this summer.
Budget cuts mean Bell is being let go, but Premier League clubs are looking to give him a big step up from the League One side.
Bell has played three times for Pompey in the EFL Trophy, and is now looking to impress enough to earn a deal with West Ham.
Hammers supporters may not know all that much about Bell, and few could blame them, but Pompey fans certainly do – and they’re really not happy.
Fans have been taking to Twitter to react to the rumour, with some claiming that Bell will be another Mason Mount in terms of a young player slipping through Pompey’s net.
Others claim that Pompey won’t ever learn when it comes to young players, and can’t believe that more isn’t being done to keep Bell when it’s clear that Premier League clubs fancy him.
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