West Ham Eye up Ashley Young Loan Move

Ashely Young has asked Jose Mourinho for a loan move away from Manchester United. The Sun reports that West Ham, along with a number of other clubs are keen to add the experienced winger on a loan deal.

The Hammers will have to compete with West Bromwich Albion, Crystal Palace and Young’s former club Watford who have all made contact about a loan deal.

Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images

Young is keen to get first team football after only featuring 9 times this season for the Red Devils; with the 31-year-old’s last league start coming against Swansea City in November.

However, the move could be tricky as Mourinho regards the former Aston Villa player as a valuable squad player, who can feature from the bench or in cup games.

The Portuguese has stated that no other players will leave Old Trafford during the January transfer window; aside from goalkeeper Sam Johnstone, who will be allowed to go on loan.

But Young is unhappy after falling behind other attackers in the pecking order, with Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial, Jesse Lingard and Henrikh Mkhitaryan all preferred.

With opportunities scare, a temporary move would be appealing to the player. As he enters the latter stage of his career, Young would be keen to maximise his playing time.

Hammers fans will remember when a 21-year-old Young rejected a move to the club in 2007, after Watford accepted a then-record £9.65 million for the player. He instead went to Aston Villa, avoiding going from relegation-doomed Watford to another relegation battle at Upton Park.

Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images

If the Irons could secure the talents of Ashley Young this month, it would be a good move to add squad depth. The club could always benefit from acquiring an experienced player who can play on either wing or at full back; plus a proven dead ball specialist. West Ham could be in dire need of a replacement if Dimitri Payet leaves the club in January