The Mirror have reported that West Ham manager David Moyes is weighing up the possibility of bringing Chelsea starlet Billy Gilmour to the London Stadium on loan this month.
The Scottish 19-year-old is highly-regarded at Stamford Bridge but could potentially be allowed to leave the club on loan as new manager Thomas Tuchel makes his plans for the rest of the season.
Gilmour made a fast start to his senior career with an imperious man of the match debut display in last season’s FA Cup against runaway Premier League leaders and eventual champions Liverpool.
Further impressive performances followed from the teenager but his development in the first team was brought to an abrupt halt when the youngster was forced to undergo knee surgery in the summer.
Now back to full fitness, Gilmour has played six times for the Chelsea first team this season, although he was left out of the squad entirely for Tuchel’s first match at the helm against Wolves yesterday.
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Whilst there is no doubting Gilmour’s talent, there is a question as to whether he is precisely what the Hammers need this month, especially with a similar deal for Jesse Lingard in the pipeline.
Also, the Irons are at full tilt in central midfield, with Declan Rice and Tomas Soucek are arguably the strongest pairing in that position across the entire league. The club would also be required to tie down Craig Dawson on a permanent basis in order to sign the youngster on loan due to domestic loan restraints.
All of that aside, the talented teenager is in a different mould to Rice and Soucek and could offer something entirely different from the ever-present West Ham midfield duo.
With a bright future ahead of Gilmour, it mustn’t be overlooked that a successful loan spell in east London could pave the way for a future permanent transfer.
