West Ham’s summer narrative is already shaping up to be one of mixed messages, shifting priorities, and a fair bit of eyebrow‑raising, even by this club’s standards.
Sun journalist Jack Rosser’s latest line that Jarrod Bowen’s salary is not set to drop by 50% after relegation which immediately cuts against the doom‑laden assumptions doing the rounds.
Claret & Hugh sought clarification from one of our sources who confirmed over the weekend “Bowen is the highest paid player at the club, he does not have a buy out clause and he is also the only player whose contract doesn’t include a relegation wage reduction, so will remain on full pay.”
West Ham are preparing to retain some of their elite players rather than brace for a fire‑sale.
That idea is strengthened by The Athletic’s reporting that the club want to keep Mateus Fernandes.
On the list for summer sales – Soungoutou Magassa and El Hadji-Malick Diouf
I suspect the chances of keeping Fernandes are zero, yet does confirm that the club will only accept offers nearer to their valuation of the player. He’s clearly destined for greater things. Nuno holds the player in high regard and will no doubt ensure their mutual agent, Jorge Mendes is fully aware of his position.
At the same time, the club are pushing for Adama Traoré to sign a one‑year extension, though wages seems to be the stumbling block.
Keiber LeMadrid, another winger is believed to have now joined permanently.
And then comes the twist.
Reports suggest West Ham are open to selling Crysencio Summerville, Alphonse Areola, El Hadji Malick-Diouf, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Jean‑Clair Todibo, Soungouto Magassa, Edson Alvarez, James Ward Prowse, Maxwel Cornet, Callum Marshall and Niclas Füllkrug.
Whatever the truth, the messaging is muddled, the stakes are high, and the margin for error is thin. West Ham can’t afford another summer of half‑measures.
I just hope we allow the “right” ones to leave….Killman Todibo, AWB, Soucek JWP, thanks very much.
Alvarez could be very good at the lower level. He played in a terrible midfield for Hammers and lacks pace but he has been highly successful elsewhere . Apart from Summerville and Tobido who is highly talented but has flawed temperament the rest of the list won’t be missed but transfer fees will be low .
I think the rumours are probably about right, if he doesn’t go this summer it might cause some PSR trouble with headroom, Adama would be a real handful in the championship though am keen to see what Lamadrid can do with a run in the team, I thought he looked useful in 442 formation.
Expect when June 15 comes next Monday we will see more significant moves and have to hope between now and then we can firm things up with AWB, Summerville and Fernandes deals. The sooner we no longer need to sell the better, players like Fullkrug, JWP, Cornet and Todibo might prove harder to shift.
If Bowen does get sold, it might be difficult to hold onto Taty, Soucek and Mav
Millions wasted since the Pellegrini era – out of work second rate clueless managers buying players at four times over their market value. Going forward, hopefully we’ll have football people running the club and start achieving what we should every year, qualifying for Europe ( yes, do realise we have to get back in the Prem’ first ! ) 😁
Agree with the list, apart from maybe Magassa, think he could do well in the championship. As I have said before definitely keep Kante.
No where near as bad as portrayed previously.
Amongst list of move ons if Alvarez and Marshall could be kept rest can go.
Fernandes and Summerville, £100m, look to be going.
Kretinsky unlikely to put his small change of £300m in salvage pot.
Ward-Prowse is a non-starter under Nuno that also goes for Killman unless he has a miraculous turn around.
Apparently Wilson is now up for another year and possibly Traore.
Need a couple of c/bks, striker and a fast left winger to replace Summerville not much in view of situation.
I think we should let Traore go, keep Marshall and let the rest listed go. I think we will have difficulty getting rid of Cornett and Faulkrug, we will probably have to pay the off, just to get rid
Agreed with the list of ‘to go’. When you go through it you realise just how much money has been wasted