OPINION
The emergence of Declan Rice as a key member of the West Ham first-team last season will have given other youngsters on the club’s books hope of their own breakthrough in 2018/19.
One of those who will have been hoping for more first-team opportunities is Domingos Quina, a talented young Portuguese midfielder who has been touted as a real talent for a long while.
Quina has played for the Hammers first-team on six occasions so far, but has failed to impress enough to warrant an extended run in the squad.
His obvious talent has now led to heightened speculation over an exit from the London Stadium this summer, with the 19-year-old having just one year left on his deal.
As claimed by the Mirror, the Hammers are ready to let Quina leave for just £600,000, with two Bundesliga clubs having entered the race for his signature.
However, the youngster provided a timely reminder of his talents by scoring a wonder goal to cap off a virtuoso performance for Portugal against Italy at the Under-19 European Championships on Thursday, and the Hammers would be making a mistake by letting him go now.
The 19-year-old is clearly a huge talent, and while that has not come through yet, it will inevitably soon, and they do not want to miss out on it when it does.
The club must therefore perform a significant U-turn and make a move to tie down Quina to a new deal this summer, before sanctioning a loan move to a club where he will get regular first-team minutes.
There has been rumours of a move from Leeds for the youngster, and such a club would be a perfect destination to get Quina more first-team experience.
Whatever they do, they should not let the talented starlet leave the club for good this summer, as they will surely live to regret such a decision in the near future.
