Adama Boiro has missed seven consecutive West Ham United matchday squads, leaving the left-back with just 13 minutes of competitive action since joining the club on loan, BilbaoHiria reported. The loan arrangement with Athletic Club, finalized on September 2, included a fixed 500,000-euro fee and an option for a permanent transfer.
Boiro’s total playing time in London remains fixed at the 13 minutes he logged during his club debut on September 5. Sometime after that initial appearance, the defender suffered physical discomfort that sidelined him briefly. However, manager Nuno Espírito Santo’s subsequent team selections indicate the omission is no longer purely fitness-related.
Squad Omissions Mount Under Nuno Espírito Santo
The defender’s absence from the matchday squad has stretched across nearly two months of fixtures. What began in mid-September as a three-match sequence outside the manager’s plans has now grown to seven consecutive games without a call-up.
During September, Nuno preferred alternative options on the left side of the defense, notably deploying Morato when Boiro was left out of the squad for a 6-0 victory against Wrexham. The Athletic Club loanee has not managed to break back into the matchday group since that fixture, and the Portuguese manager’s recent selections offer little indication of an immediate recall.
Limited Playing Time Complicates Boiro Permanent Transfer
Before his departure to the English capital, Boiro featured for 20 minutes for Athletic Club against FC Barcelona during the opening weekend of the league season. Combined with his 13 minutes for West Ham, he has played only 33 minutes of competitive football across the entire campaign.
Boiro remains under contract with the Bilbao-based club until 2029, meaning his long-term registration belongs to Lezama. With West Ham holding a non-mandatory purchase option, the lack of playing time complicates any permanent transfer. Observers note that an English club is unlikely to activate a purchase clause for a player who fails to make the matchday squad.
January Transfer Window Appears Likely
Given the stagnation of his development in London, industry observers point to the upcoming January transfer window as the logical juncture to reassess the loan agreement. Finding a destination where the full-back can secure regular weekly minutes is viewed as essential to salvaging his season.
Any move in January would require an agreement between Athletic Club and West Ham to alter or terminate the current loan terms, as public reports have not confirmed whether a break clause was written into the initial September contract. A potential return to Bilbao presents its own hurdles regarding playing time, as left-back Yuri Berchiche is under contract at Athletic through 2027.
