West Ham United is reportedly poised to permit the departure of young striker Callum Marshall from the London Stadium on loan during the January transfer window, as disclosed by the Evening Standard.
As per the online report dated 31 December, Marshall, a Northern Irish international, is one of several young players the Hammers intend to send out on loan to secure consistent first-team action beyond East London.
Despite excelling in under-21 football this season, with 19 goals across 13 appearances in the Premier League 2 and the EFL trophy, Marshall is yet to feature for the senior West Ham squad. It appears that manager David Moyes feels Marshall is not quite prepared for the transition into the first team and therefore sees a loan move as the logical step for the 19-year-old.
While Marshall’s prolific goal-scoring exploits at the under-21 level are noteworthy, they suggest that he may have gleaned all he can from that tier of competition, indicating that a loan move within the EFL could offer him a more enriching developmental experience.
Given Marshall’s stature as a full international, it’s anticipated that numerous clubs would express interest in securing his services, affording West Ham the opportunity to select a loan destination deemed most conducive to the player’s growth.
It’s not uncommon for players to encounter challenges when making the leap from youth football to the senior level. Therefore, by facilitating Marshall’s regular first-team exposure away from the London Stadium, Moyes and West Ham are set to gain a clearer insight into the young striker’s true potential.
Subsequently, Moyes will have the likes of Jarrod Bowen, Michail Antonio, Danny Ings, and Divin Mubama as his forward options for the latter part of the season, providing ample depth to compete in both the Premier League and the Europa League.
