West Ham manager has confirmed that Jeremy Ngakia will leave the club once his contract runs out.
In an interview with the Evening Standard West Ham manager, David Moyes, confirmed the highly-rated youngster will leave the club after rejecting a new deal worth £5,000 per week. This deal was rejected despite it including lots of added bonuses, Ngakia was after a deal closer to £20,000 per week.
“We are really surprised and disappointed that Jeremy is not going to stay at West Ham.” A bitterly disappointed David Moyes said in his interview.
This comes as a big blow for the Hammers and the clubs fans who had quickly taken to the youngster, many believing that he would become a centrepiece of the West Ham line-up for the next decade.
David Moyes seems to have taken the rejection hard. Moyes is known for bringing through some of the countries top talents, he expanded during his interview.
"“We like him a lot, we’ve given him his debut and I’m a manager who has done that many times in my career, including Wayne Rooney, Ross Barkley, Jordan Pickford and others.“Jeremy is another one and I feel he is making a mistake choosing not to stay with us. We’ve trusted him in big games and everyone likes him at the club."
It is understandable as to why the West Ham manager is frustrated, the costs that go into training a player in the Academy, for as long as Ngakia was there, is large. Now, this investment on the player will never be repaid to the club, through performances or future transfer fees.
David Moyes also extended his frustrations to that of the academy, who could feel Ngakia is betraying them by leaving the club on what will be bad terms.
"“I also feel it’s a kick in the teeth for the academy, because they have developed a player for the first team and he’s not going to stay. We’re also really disappointed with his decision not to stay beyond June 30.” Moyes said."
Moyes did however, put a hook out for Ngakia, the Scotsman is of course hoping that the youngster changes his mind and ends up signing a new deal to stay at West Ham.
"“We haven’t given up all hope of Jeremy realising he has got it wrong, but I have to say he has told me directly that it is not his choice to stay,” the Hammers manager added."
So the Ngakia saga seems to be completely over now, West Ham can move on and put their faith back with Ben Johnson and Ryan Fredericks. Although, in classic Hammers fashion David Moyes did leave the door open for a dramatic U-turn, if Ngakia decides to offer another surprise.