West Ham want Toni Martinez to show what he can do out on loan in Spain after leaving the door open for him to return to the club, according to a Hammers insider.
Ex-WHU Employee, who is an outstanding source of Irons news, explained in a Twitter exchange with a supporter on Tuesday morning that West Ham have no plans to permanently offload Martinez.
Give him a chance to see what he can do as last two loans he didn’t really play https://t.co/Qs0fbadpl8
— ExWHUEmployee (@ExWHUEmployee) August 14, 2018
The Premier League outfit announced on their official website on Monday night that Martinez has joined Spanish second-tier side Rayo Majadahonda on loan for the 2018-19 season.
OPINION
Given that Martinez is out of contract at West Ham next June, which coincides with the end of his loan at newly-promoted Rayo Majadahonda, there is a chance he has played his final match for his parent club. That would be a shame. The centre-forward has demonstrated enough potential since joining the Hammers in the summer of 2016 to suggest he can make it at the very demanding Premier League level. His record for the club’s Under-23s is outstanding – 25 goals from 29 matches – and it is fair to say he has nothing more to prove at that level. However, the Spaniard’s attempts to cut it in senior football have not paid dividends – he was a fringe player in loans both at League One Oxford United and at Spanish second division side Real Valladolid last season. Martinez needs to play regularly, and show West Ham why he is deserving of a new contract and the opportunity to shoot up their ranks. They have left the door open for him to twist their arm.