David Moyes’ decision not to sign Ryan Manning for West Ham United this summer has backfired drastically after Queens Park Rangers sold the full-back to Swansea City in a bargain Domestic Deadline Day deal.

What’s the word?

Swansea confirmed the capture of Manning on Friday after agreeing to a rumoured £250,000 deal with QPR, that sees the 24-year-old join the Swans on a three-year contract.

The Irishman has not made an appearance in this season’s Championship campaign under Rs boss Mark Warburton due to the uncertainty which surrounded his future at the Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium, where Manning’s contract was due to expire next summer after refusing offers of a new deal.

West Ham had been touted as a potential destination for Manning earlier in the window, with the Daily Star proposing that Moyes was considering a £5million swoop as he looked to bolster both his full-back and midfield options.

But the Irons ultimately did not push through with plans to sign the left-back who provided four goals and seven assists in the Championship last season, as claims soon surfaced that Moyes “doesn’t rate him” despite long-term links.

Ultimately, West Ham’s decision not to sign Manning – likely below the £5m fee claimed – backfired as the Irons ended the summer market without either a new full-back or midfielder joining.

Was Manning the answer?

While Moyes was claimed to no longer rate Manning despite scouting the goal-scoring full-back last season, his bargain Domestic Deadline Day move shows that a deal was on the cards while his output last term showed what he could offer.

Manning was also called up to the senior Republic of Ireland squad for the first time during the October internationals, following nine outings in his national side’s Under 21s in which he struck three goals and penned two assists.

A senior debut for the Boys in Green has been touted for years by those who have worked with Manning, with former QPR boss Ian Holloway telling The Herald, via quotes by the Irish Mirror, in 2017: “I see Ryan day in, day out. I have had some wonderful players and, in my view, Ryan is up there with them.

“I don't know who else Ireland have to pick from but it's only a matter of time before he gets into the international team, never mind the squad, he is that good. He is a special talent. He can play Premier League and international football, without a shadow of a doubt. I have no doubt about that.

“That left foot of his - which is a wand, by the way. He has athleticism, a desire to get down the pitch. I am not sure where he is going to end up playing, in central midfield as part of a three, but he could play anywhere down the left, as an attacking full-back, a bit like Seamus Coleman.”

Manning ultimately established himself as a left-back with QPR, but recorded two of his seven assists in last season’s Championship campaign during five outings at left-midfield while also earning minutes in a central midfield role.

Certainly, then, for any fee close to the £250,000 paid by Swansea, West Ham have missed a real bargain deal in Manning.

AND in other news, West Ham potentially saved £16m in being snubbed by a summer target.