OPINION
There is no doubt that Manuel Pellegrini will be left feeling pretty proud over West Ham’s transfer business – but there must be a sense of embarrassment building over a proposed exit from the club.
The Hammers were among the busiest of the Premier League clubs this summer and continued to make moves right up to the final day of the market, securing the capture of Carlos Sanchez to add yet another body to a well equipped squad at the London Stadium.
However, it appears to be a case of one in, one out from the midfielder, with Football.London journalist Sam Inkersole claiming on his personal Twitter account that 19-year-old central starlet Domingos Quina looks set to be on his way to Watford in a £1million move, reporting that West Ham were rebuffed in contract talks to try and keep him on as he went into the final year of his deal.
Domingos Quina to Watford sounds like it could be happening. £1m permanent deal. Watford have until 7pm to get the paperwork done.
— Sam Inkersole (@Sam_InkersoleTM) August 9, 2018
Understand West Ham wanted Domingos Quina to sign a new deal at the club but he and his agent refused it. Could have left on a free next summer.
— Sam Inkersole (@Sam_InkersoleTM) August 9, 2018
As if losing one of your highly rated talents to a Premier League rival was not embarrassing enough, losing him for a mere seven-figure fee of £1million is a real kick in the teeth, and the fact the Portuguese youngster turned down the Hammers’ advances to stay just compounds how much of a disaster this scenario has turned out to be.
Pellegrini should be left feeling seriously red faced over the matter, and there must be some sort of inquiry over how they allowed the situation to arise in order to prevent it ever happening again.
It is a sad way to end what has been an exciting time for the Hammers.