Racing Genk fullback Joakim Maehle has revealed he was disappointed not to leave the Belgian club during the January transfer window.

West Ham were looking for a right-back before the window shut last month, with the Dane said to have been on their shortlist of targets along with Red Bull Salzburg’s Rasmus Kristensen, but the Hammers only secured winger Jarrod Bowen from Hull on deadline day.

Maehle said after seeing Mbwana Samatta leave for Aston Villa, and Sander Berge depart to Sheffield United, he thought his chance would come to:

“It is not surprising that Berge and Samatta are now also gone. We know the club’s strategy, it’s a good thing for everyone, that I had to stay was a disappointment, yes. I am ambitious, watched those beautiful foreign clubs pass by … We were champions, that does not work every year, perhaps this was the chance. But they said no …”

Whether West Ham will renew their interest in the 22-year-old in the summer, we shall have to wait and see. There is no doubt that the Irons will be in the market for a right-back with Pablo Zabaleta expected to leave the London Stadium.

The Argentine’s contract expires at the end of the season, and a replacement will be needed in order to provide competition for Ryan Fredericks.