West Ham academy prospect linked with Nottingham Forest after Europa League debut

West Ham are yet to welcome any arrivals in the January transfer window and could go down to the wire if they are to bring in the defensive reinforements that they need.

Meanwhile, they could be set for a defensive exit, with Nottingham Forest eyeing a move for Emmanuel Longelo.

The Championship club are set to make an attempt to sign the left-back before deadline day, according to the Evening Standard.

Longelo joined West Ham as an under-10 player and has remained with the club eversince.

The 21-year-old made his first team debut in the Hammers’ 5-1 EFL Cup win against Hull City in September 2020.

Longelo was forced to wait over two years for his next senior appearance but impressed on his Europa League debut against Dinamo Zagreb last month.

The defender’s performance against the Croatian club, as well as his form for the U-23 side, has attracted the interest of Forest.

After earning a sniff of first team football with West Ham, Longelo could now be tempted by the possibility of regular action with Steve Cooper’s side.

The Forest boss has a good track record with youth players after leading the England U-17 team to World Cup glory in 2017 and is now enjoying a brilliant start to life in the Midlands.

If the Irons are willing to part ways with Longelo then it is unclear whether he will leave permanently or on loan till the rest of the season.

Either way, the defender could play a vital role in Forest’s bid for promotion.