Luton Town, Reading FC & Leyton Orient involved in West Ham transfer chase | OneFootball

Gideon Kodua spent last season on loan with Wycombe Wanderers

A number of League One clubs - including Luton Town, Reading and Leyton Orient - are all interested in signing West Ham youngster Gideon Kodua.

According to Football Insider, all three clubs - as well as divisional rivals Stevenage - are now on high alert after the Hammers decided they are open to a loan move this summer.

Kodua has spent the last season-and-a-half on loan with Wycombe Wanderers, earning plenty of experience at this level, but has been unable to convince the London outfit that he is ready for the step up to the Premier League yet.

The versatile forwards featured 20 times in League One last season, contributing two goals, with the Chairboys coming fifth in the table.

Four League One clubs eye West Ham starlet

Luton, Reading, Leyton Orient and Stevenage are the clubs who are monitoring the situation surrounding Kodua’s future.

It has been reported that all four clubs would like to sign the 20-year-old on loan should he be available.

Kodua has played 30 games in total in League One across his two stints at Wycombe, but Wanderers have not been linked with a bid to bring him back to the club once again.

It remains to be seen what the player or West Ham’s preference is at this stage, but it’s believed that the top flight team are open to a temporary deal.

Kodua has a contract with West Ham until the summer of 2026, having signed a two-year deal last summer prior to his temporary move back to Wycombe, which means he's going into the final year of his contract.

While he started just two of his 20 appearances for the Chairboys, he contributed two goals as the team fought for promotion to the Championship, missing out in the play-offs with a loss to Charlton Athletic in the semi-finals.

Gideon Kodua needs more EFL experience - Leyton Orient may fit the bill the most

Kodua hasn’t been able to earn consistent game time in League One yet, and hasn’t shown he’s ready for Premier League football just yet.

Another year in the third tier would be the best move for his development, and West Ham should focus on finding a side that will guarantee him regular game time.

Leyton Orient, Reading and Stevenage should be able to offer him that, while he may find himself as a secondary option with the Hatters due to their competition for places among the current squad options.

And given the success they had with loanees last season such as Charlie Kelman, Jamie Donley and Josh Keeley, the best landing spot for Kodua may be Orient, as it would represent not only the closest move to his current location, but also perhaps the most ideal for footballing development reasons too.