From the determination with which the West Ham United board stuck to their guns over Mateus Fernandes’ asking price -and ultimately succeeded- it is clear to the wider football world that the Hammers aren’t bluffing when it comes to dictating their transfer strategy and debt management stance this summer.
Daniel Kretinsky‘s original statement that ‘the club do not need to sell players to fix the finances‘ is being borne out in their dealings: No mass exodus to balance the books, no quick ‘cheap and cheerful’ deals to keep the banks happy. The latest report from within, via well connected West Ham journo Roshane Thomas raises eyebrows over the ambitious position the club have adopted with one of the 2024 signings:
Writing in The NYTimes/Athletic, Thomas states:
“West Ham United are open to selling Aaron Wan-Bissaka and will set an asking price of £25million. The Championship side are yet to receive any enquiries for the 28-year-old. Wan-Bissaka, whose contract expires in the summer of 2031, has made 65 appearances across all competitions since joining from Manchester United for £15m in August 2024. “
Aggressive asking price: Aaron Wan Bissaka
At £25 million for Wan-Bissaka, it is clear that West Ham are pushovers no longer. With Arsenal the latest side linked to the right back, it will be intriguing to see if the board’s aggressive transfer stance bears fruit.
What is evident is that anyone expecting a player fire sale at the London Stadium is going to be very disappointed.
Transfer fees are forever on the increase and at sometime need to stabilise.
You can ask but you don’t always get ask Man Utd.
Whu paid £17m and £20m seems a reasonable figure which will pay for Gustavo Sa (presumably he’s coming).
This is more than rhe fans could have dreamed of under Sulivan. It’s now begin run as a professional outfit. Long may it last!
Players happy to sign and play yet when disaster strikes as it has they suddenly want nothing to do with a club playing in the championship which by their own performances caused that to happen…so it nice to hear that the club have not said they cannot leave but have made it clear to the player and clubs(Moyes Everton for one)that he goes on our terms not theres.
Mind you if a club comes in for AWB with say £20million i would say yes but part of that deal includes them taking Cornet on a free!
£25m for a player contracted until 2031 is still a little low in valuation.
Literally no other full back with his pedigree and experience is as undervalued.
Somewhere between £28-32m is about right, in my opinion.
Great to hear that players who don’t want to stay won’t automatically get a cheap ticket out.
WHEN he’s up for it, AWB is in the top three or four RBs in the premiership. Not surprised some big clubs are interested.
Welcome to what is hopefully the post Sullivan era.