Champions League qualification spells ‘challenge’ ahead for West Ham

With three weeks to save their season and their Premier League status, things are looking decidedly ‘challenging’ at West Ham United if the club are to pull off the shock of the decade and somehow garner two points more than rivals Tottenham.

Arsenal on Sunday of course are the biggest challenge, with the Gooners now head and shoulders above Manchester City in the race for the title.

Another club joins the queue for top Hammers talent

Behind them, in fourth spot in the Premeir League, Manchester United’s victory last weekend against Liverpool guaranteed the Champions League football next season. There’s also the  boost of something approaching £100 million to their income thanks to their qualification and the revenue increase expected. Which presents the Hammers with something of a problem.

Reported by sky sports today, The Red Devils have a shopping list of midfield replacements for Casemiro:

Man Utd transfer news: Tyler Adams, Alex Scott and Mateus Fernandes emerge as possible signings as midfield plans ramp up…United are looking at midfield reinforcements with Casemiro leaving Old Trafford this summer at the at the end of his contract.

Any thoughts West Ham may have had of hoping to hold onto the young Portuguese midfielder will have taken a battering in recent weeks with the club slipping back into the relegation zone.

The news that teams such as Man U – now with a huge transfer budget – seek to join the bidding war that is bound to develop for Fernandes is going to be hugely disappointing for fans but will doubtless prove something of a financial lifeline for David Sullivan who can expect to double his £38 million investment of 9 months ago.

Too good for the championship, Fernandes will slot right into a Champions League environment and be another player for whom Hammers fans have a soft spot as his career no doubt flourishes.