Teenage striker Ayomide Faniyan is training with West Ham United ahead of a potential move to the club, according to All Nigeria Soccer.
The outlet claims that the 18-year-old will be observed by the Hammers’ coaching staff for eight weeks before the team decide whether to offer him a contract or not.
Faniyan is available on a free transfer after his contract with English Championship club Reading was mutually terminated in September.
All Nigeria Soccer’s report states that Faniyan is a highly rated young attacker, who was consistently the top scorer for various age groups in the Reading academy. He can play out wide as well as through the middle.
OPINION
It’s always good to keep one eye on the future and it appears that that is what West Ham are doing here. Faniyan is by all accounts an exciting young player, and it’s good that the club are taking a look at him before they offer him a deal. It’s smart to examine the youngster to see how good he is and what sort of shape he’s in before they bring him in on a permanent deal. However, Faniyan’s exit from Reading and subsequent failure to find a new team is slightly concerning. Why was he allowed to leave Reading out of the blue if he is as good a player as he’s supposed to be? And why has no other team snapped him up in the meantime? It’s safe to say that there are a few question marks over this young man, but that’s why the club are bringing him in for training before they sign him. Let’s see what he can do in the proceeding eight weeks and if he can convince the Hammers that he’s worth their time.
