West Ham pursuit of Marcus Rashford would hamper the development of their own youth talent.
The Telegraph report that West Ham are hoping to sign Manchester United striker Marcus Rashford on loan, as they look to solve their striker crisis.
Rashford has failed to score in his last 16 games in all competitions for club and country, often having to settle for playing out wide to accommodate Zlatan Ibrahimovic at United.
There is an obvious attraction for West Ham in signing the young talent if they can, but a loan move could have negative effects.
England’s Marcus Rashford warms up before the game
The main player who would lose out is exciting youth talent Antonio Martinez, who is only one year younger than Rashford.
The 18-year-old is the same age as the Manchester United man was when he made such a big impact in the Premier League last season, and his under-23 form suggests the Hammers should give him a chance.
He has 11 goals this season already, including a hat-trick in midweek, and his fearless start could be just the antidote for West Ham’s troubles this season up front, which took four months for a striker to score a Premier League goal.
Martinez would find his chance limited by Rashford’s arrival, and West Ham’s chances of signing the England international permanently would be tough.
So instead of developing their own investment, they would be helping Manchester United’s, while another player they signed from the Red Devils, Ashley Fletcher, could be pushed out of the door.
West Ham United’s Ashley Fletcher has a shot at goal
Rashford only got a chance at Old Trafford last season because Fletcher was on loan at Barnsley, but now he could find himself loaned out again by the arrival of his former academy teammate.
Neither Fletcher or Martinez being marginalised to accommodate a loan deal for a rival club’s teenager makes sense.
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