West Ham will be looking at doing more outward business in January than inward with several players becoming available to interested clubs.
And whilst we will be looking at getting decent fees, the bigger priority will be to free up the wage bill in order to strengthen again next summer.
Among those the club are ready to allow out are Ricardo Vaz Te, Joey O’Brien and Carlton Cole who may have become a more attractive proposition to potential buyers following regular appearances in an ultra strong Hammers side.
Looking further ahead to the summer Ravel Morrison looks likely to move on and of course the ongoing Winston Reid saga is now being viewed in the light of him running down his contract.
A source told Claretandhugh: “Yes, there are players we would let go on the right terms as it becomes more and more apparent how the first team squad is shaping up.
“It would be good to see some outward movement as we believe we are now building on a very firm base following last summer’s transfer activity.”
I’m a bit concerned about releasing Joey O’Brien. Jenkinson is a young lad and will improve but based on what I’ve seen so far, he needs to.
Demel’s no spring chicken and not a great RB anyway. In terms of defensive qualities and reliability, I reckon JOB’s the best RB at the club, we need to strengthen in this area.
To be honest some of the names mentioned and a few others beside should have been moved on two summers ago! And although I fully understand the financial restraints we were under at the time, having to retain players who were either well last their sell by date or simply not good enough for the prem played a large part in the disaster that was last season.
I’d keep Joey, good cover in both fullback positions and midfield if we’re.really pushed, the others apart from Reid would be well shot of plus miega will be back in the summer
The success of Aaron Cresswell proves there are talented young players in the lower leagues and we should free up wages and spots in the team by moving Carlton Cole, Vaz Te, and Demel on!
I like Guy Demel but he seems to be suffering more and more injuries and he’s not getting any younger.
Cole and Vaz Te seem just to be making up the numbers, and offer very little to the team.