West Ham United striker Josh Landers is attracting interest from five clubs as the Hammers prepare to sanction another loan move for the 19-year-old.
St Mirren and Livingston were already pursuing the Scotland youth international, but the competition for his signature has now increased.
The Daily Record reports that Cheltenham Town, Southend United and Ayr United have also entered the race to take Landers on loan.
West Ham’s decision is expected to centre on where the forward will receive the most regular senior football.
Josh Landers loan race grows after West Ham decision
Landers spent the closing stages of last season at Boreham Wood, making nine appearances and scoring once as they reached the National League play-off final.
West Ham’s official coverage of his loan spell showed Landers featuring at Wembley as Boreham Wood eventually lost to Rochdale on penalties.
He has since returned to the Hammers after another productive spell with the Under-21s.
Landers initially joined West Ham from Hibernian in January 2025 and remains under contract until 2028. He has impressed across the club’s academy sides, with his combination of pressing, physicality and penalty-area movement making him an intriguing development prospect.
Sky Sports reporter Anthony Joseph previously revealed that St Mirren and Livingston were leading the race for Landers, with West Ham keen for him to gain further first-team experience.
A temporary departure now looks increasingly likely.
West Ham are simultaneously strengthening their senior striker options. ReadWestHam reported on Tuesday that the club are prepared to meet AZ Alkmaar’s €30million valuation for Troy Parrott, which would further reduce Landers’ immediate route into Nuno Espírito Santo’s first team.
Cheltenham, Southend, St Mirren, Livingston and Ayr therefore present different development paths.
The level matters, but minutes should be decisive.
Another season spent regularly facing senior defenders would offer Landers considerably more than remaining around West Ham’s Under-21 squad without a clear route into Nuno’s team.
