Sean Whetstone covered West Ham’s financial position quite succinctly recently. The level of business we transacted this summer leaves very little wiggle room for further expenditure in January as our budgets are pretty much spent. On his X/Twitter account, Claret and Hugh’s associate editor – who has some highly placed sources at the club – made our financial position clear:
“West Ham hierarchy fear what financial accounts for this season will bring!
Next summer with wages/turnover rules coming in for the Premier League, the club might have to make some tough decisions, but there are many variables, so the club doesn’t need to decide on what actions might need to be taken until the end of the season.”
Make no mistake, what that really means is ‘action will need to be taken at the end of the season’. I got slated by West Ham fans when I wrote my piece earlier on in the summer regarding West Ham’s ‘crown jewels’ and ‘enjoying them whilst you can’ pending next year’s possible sales. You can read it here:
The problem which the West Ham United Board face is trying to plan The Hammers’ finances with one enormous variable: Lucas Paqueta who could be sold for £85 million or could equally become worthless if he gets an indefinite ban by the FA.
Trying to plan a business – and plot the financial future next summer-under those circumstances must be well – nigh impossible. Add to this the now public Mohammed Kudus‘ £85 million release clause which ‘expired’ for the summer 2024 window only’: (Trying to find out from the club whether this release clause is coming round again next June is almost impossible.)
Kudus is already attracting many mega-rich admirers: Will we be able to resist next Summer?
BUT you can guarantee that if Kudus has another season like last year, Liverpool as one of his ‘known’ admirers will come knocking: If Paqueta gets banned- watch out, we will probably need to even out our finances and Kudus is the obvious source.
If, however, good news prevails and our Brazilian supremo gets the green light to carry on playing, then I’d still expect him to be off to Manchester City at, again, the well-publicised £85 million release clause.
So, either way, one or both of them could well be on their way next Summer. Enjoy them while you can and don’t be too disappointed if the financial reality kicks in next July. You might not like to read it any more than I like writing it – but we need to enjoy every game they play this season and understand the bigger picture may prevail next June.
Paqueta playing like he’s already off to city anyway! Dare I say it, we won’t miss him that much at this rate! If we have the luck of the football Gods and get 85 million for him then it’ll be fantastic.
Kudus a whole new situation though, make you right, he’ll be off next season and sweet fanny Adams wee can do about it. Unless we pick up another piece of tin and finish in the top 6, otherwise why would he wish to stay ⚒️🙏
If WHU can still get £85M for Paqueta, I would say “grab it with both hands” and spend the money wisely. I think his image has suffered as much as a result of his own behaviour as the allegations and WH would be lucky to get £50M for him now. I would not expect MC to come in with an offer at all. Kudus on the other hand has massively increased his marketability and his ambition may well result in him moving on. Neither of these players are irreplaceable, Steidten just needs to be as good a talent spotter as everyone is saying he is and that would be the ongoing bigger picture if WHU could add £130 to £150M to their transfer budget.
I’m not at all bothered if Paqueta gets sold for £85m. However, some variables need to be in place for that to happen; if Guardiola isn’t at Man City next year will they still want him? If he continues to keep losing the ball in dangerous areas, even if Guardiola stays at City, will that facilitate a change of heart from the City manager? If he continues to underperform, will he be replaced in the team by Soler and thus exit the shop window, so-to-speak? Might there also be a scenario where, if the F.A don’t charge him, City offer less money knowing me might need to sell at a lower price to fund our own purchases next summer. After all, whatever the release clause, if no one is willing to pay it and we need money he could be sold at a much lower price.
You are entirely right Martin. Both will be off next year, with one of them banned or sold.
Another fly in the transfer ointment will also be trying to hang on to El Machine.
That’s the reality.