West Ham have made a last-ditch attempt to convince Jeremy Ngakia to sign a new contract but fear they are fighting a losing battle to keep the right-back, who is considering an offer to join Watford on a free transfer this summer.
Ngakia rejected West Ham’s offer of a new long-term deal last month, believed to be worth £5,000 a week, and he could stun them again by signing for one of their relegation rivals. The 19-year-old could play no part in his team’s fight to stay in the Premier League and is prepared to leave when his deal expires on 30 June, even though the east Londoners will still have seven league games left.
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West Ham, who are out of the bottom three on goal difference, have until next Tuesday to reach a short-term agreement with Ngakia. Yet Watford, who lie in 17th place, hope to capitalise on the uncertainty surrounding the player. West Ham have been trying to convince Ngakia to change his mind and offered him an improved contract this week, but they are worried he has set his sights on a fresh challenge.
Ngakia, who scored in a friendly victory against Crystal Palace last weekend, made an impressive impact after being handed his debut by David Moyes when Ryan Fredericks was injured in January. The academy graduate, who has also been linked with a move to Germany, made four appearances and looked to be on the path to becoming a first-team regular before the coronavirus pandemic brought English football to a halt in March.
Moyes expressed his disappointment with Ngakia last week. “I feel he is making a mistake choosing not to stay with us,” West Ham’s manager said. “We’ve trusted him in big games and everyone likes him at the club. I also feel it’s a kick in the teeth for the academy, because they have developed a player for the first team and he’s not going to stay. We’re also really disappointed with his decision not to stay beyond 30 June. We want him to feel he’s been given the best service we can give and maybe there’s still a little hope that we can change his mind.”
West Ham host Wolves on Saturday and visit Tottenham next Tuesday. Their other options at right-back are Fredericks, Ben Johnson and Pablo Zabaleta, whose contract expires on 30 June. West Ham are in talks with Zabaleta about a short-term extension.
