By Kris Gonzo | Senior West Ham Columnist (Follow on X)
West Ham could be set to face the first real test of their “pay the full price or we’ll keep them” policy around player sales this summer.
The club have pledged to retain as many key players as possible, but if a transfer is to happen, it will only be on the club’s terms and at the full asking price.
Fernandes And Summerville Set The Standard
That stance was easy enough to implement over Mateus Fernandes because, eventually, Tottenham Hotspur were willing to pay the £85 million demanded for the midfielder.
With Crysencio Summerville, the same could apply.
A strong World Cup has seen his valuation rise towards the £50 million mark and, whilst there still appears to be a £40 million release clause in place, rumour has it that it would have to be paid in one single instalment.
That could make it more attractive for a club such as Manchester United to pay £50 million spread over several seasons instead.
Once again, West Ham would receive their full asking price.
Wan-Bissaka Is Different
Where the policy will surely be tested is with Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
It seems West Ham are prepared to listen to offers, but only at a valuation of around £25 million.
Yesterday, The Athletic reported there had been no genuine offers for the right-back.
With that in mind, West Ham could face the first real test of whether they are genuinely prepared to keep a player if their valuation is not met.
Stick Or Twist?
I have to admit, £25 million initially struck me as being on the high side for a player we signed from Manchester United for £15 million.
That said, in his first season as a Hammer he won Player of the Season, and deservedly so.
It will be fascinating to see how West Ham play this one because I’ve little doubt Wan-Bissaka would be exceptional in the Championship.
Perhaps there is a compromise somewhere around the £20 million mark.
But I certainly wouldn’t be disappointed to see the Hammers’ negotiating team reject what they consider to be lowball offers and insist the defender remains at the London Stadium.
I think we should get as much as we can, because we will need that to replace him with.
I can not believe that Alvarez is going for such a small amount 8.5million seems cheap, I would like to think after his World Cup displays we could get 12-15million forjim
When we bought AWB for £15m he was on a short contract, but he has five years on his contract now makes him worth far more. The contract length difference is huge.
Hi mate, slightly off the subject, see from another X account that saying shareholding % still same on stock exchange & Golds still have 25% is this true, as this person put it, is Sully Sons still having a say. Please god not true, as lot of season tickets sold on the understanding Sully has left, thanks
I think you are right Kris, maybe £25m is negotiating stance and somewhere around £20m will have both parties thinking they got a good deal.
He is still only 28. £25m is reasonable for a top quality player of that age. But nobody wants to keep an unmotivated player so around £20m plus a decent loan or two would make sense as a reasonable compromise with Walker-Peters ready to step in anyway.