As price tag soars, West Ham should’ve moved for Charlie Kelman earlier

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Charlie Kelman has shot to fame in January after making his first team debut for Southend United, scoring a stunning goal from the halfway line in the Shrimpers’ defeat to Plymouth Argyle, signing a professional contract with the club days later.

Only three months ago, HITC reported that West Ham, Bournemouth, Brighton & Hove Albion and Aston Villa were among the clubs interested in the 17-year-old before he had put pen to paper on a contract with the Essex club.

Having scored 61 goals last season for Southend’s youth team, it is easy to see why the USA youth international has caught the eye and could have been a promising option for the Hammers.

Now a much more widely recognised figure after his memorable first goal in professional football, and having signed a two and half year contract, it would cost considerably more to force the Blues to sell their prized asset.

Kelman is yet to be fully integrated into the first team by his manager, Chris Powell, but any offer will now be subject to a decision from the club, rather than directly with the player and then passing through a compensation tribunal.

With West Ham looking out for a striker and wondering how to provide a long-term solution, Kelman may well prove to be the one that got away.