West Ham Join ‘Queue’ To Sign Ex-Chelsea Academy Star But Rival PL Club Are Still In The ‘Lead’

West Ham are in a “queue” of Premier League clubs lining up to snap up Juventus winger Samuel-Iling-Junior, according to Calciomercato.com.

The Italian website claims that the Hammers will likely make a move for the England Under 21 international if he becomes available.

Iling-Junior is currently enjoying a spell of regular first-team football at Juve, having been picked ahead of  Filip Kostic on the left wing in two of the last three league games.

It has prompted speculation that the 20-year-old could sign a new contract. However, Calciomercato report that, even if he does put pen to paper on a new deal, he could still move clubs this summer.



Iling-Junior is keen on getting regular football

The winger came through Chelsea’s academy but he decided to leave as he believed he would get more first-team opportunities in Italy.

While Iling-Junior has made his breakthrough at senior level with Juve, manager Max Allegri has been reluctant to start him on a regular basis. In his 37 appearances for the first team, he has come on as a substitute on 31 occasions.

West Ham are not favourites to sign the winger

Calciomercato say that the Hammers, Tottenham and Everton are all interested in Iling-Junior but Brighton are the club who currently “lead” the way if the player opts to leave Serie A at the end of the season.

It should be pointed out that a lot could still change in the coming months. Considering that he has started more matches recently, there remains a decent chance that the England youth international will decide to stay where he is.

West Ham may also decide to prioritise other positions. The club are on the lookout for a new No.9 and they will also have to consider replacements for Lucas Paqueta if the Brazilian leaves the London Stadium for Manchester City.

David Tully

David Tully

David has worked as a football reporter for the last fifteen years. Having started as an intern at Snack Media, he then went on to become a freelancer, working on various different sites. At the start of 2023, he took up his current role as content writer for National World's Football News Network.