Graham Potter is unlikely to have much time off before the transfer window reopens on 12 June.
With Coufal, Fabiański, Ings, and Cresswell seeing their contracts expire, and loan deals for Soler and Ferguson coming to an end, the squad will lose six players.
Additionally, Cornet is expected to depart, and Aguerd will be assessed by the manager following his loan spell at Real Sociedad. If Rodríguez also leaves and with Paquetá’s future uncertain, the squad could soon look worryingly thin.
The club’s main objective will be to reduce the average age of the team, though it’s equally important for Potter to retain some experienced players who can provide leadership.
Looking at the goalkeepers, Fabiański, turning 40 in April, has had a good career but will make way for Areola and Foderingham, who have a combined age of 66. Whether Krisztián Hegyi or Finlay Herrick are ready to step up as second-choice keeper remains uncertain, as past talents such as Joseph Anang, Nathan Trott, and Jacob Knightsbridge have all moved on.
In the full-back positions, Wan-Bissaka has offered versatility, and ideally, Kyle Walker-Peters—five years younger than Coufal at 27—would be a smart addition. He can play on both flanks and will be available on a free transfer in the summer. Along with Emerson and Scarles, this should provide healthy competition, though Emerson may be sold if an Italian club shows interest.
In central midfield, there are expectations that Earthy, Orford, Kanté, and Potts could all play a part, yet Potter will also explore options for either Banzuzi or Gomes. Irving could be a possible departure, though he would be a valuable squad player and wouldn’t command a high transfer fee, with his wages on the low side.
Fullkrug & Antonio are not getting any younger
Potter needs a shake-up in attack
Up front, with limited funds, if Antonio recovers from his horrific injury, the club have a one-year option on him, making him a good backup striker. Füllkrug may struggle to find a club willing to match his wages, and West Ham could find it difficult to recoup an acceptable transfer fee for him. A loan deal could be a possibility, but unless West Ham pay only a fraction of his wages, the benefits would be limited. A sensible approach would be to retain both players while also focusing on bringing in a young striker to challenge for a first-team spot.
Suggestions were that Callum Marshall could be that player, yet at 20 years old, his return of seven goals in 32 appearances for Huddersfield suggests the jump to the Premier League might be too big for him.
With £32m already spent on Todibo, the club’s transfer budget will likely depend on player sales, with Kudus and Aguerd two potential sources of significant funds. Loan-to-buy deals could be a smart way to spread out costs for incoming transfers.
After bringing in nine players last summer to bolster a squad that was already too small to face the rigours of the Premier League, Potter faces a similar challenge. However, without a large transfer budget, this will require a lot of thought, time, and patience.
You couldn’t make up the amount of negligence by Moyes, Steiden, JLo (and Sullivan). In another industry they’d have gone long before they did without a nest egg..,,,,
We would save huge amounts in wages when the out of contract players, plus those who are deemed surplus to requirements leave. Antonio is reported to earn £85,000 a week or £4.4 million a year and surely at the age of 35 and coming back from long term injury he should not be given a years’ extension, especially with his poor goalscoring record over the last 3 years. Add wages for Ings, Fabianski, Cresswell, Coufal plus wages and transfer fees for Cornet, Rodrigues and Mavrapanos. Foderingham is purely a back up keeper and all 4 should be sold. Then If we can move on Fullkrug and return Soler.
Taking reported wages alone this would save nearly £40 million, plus any transfer fees for those who are not out of contract, which could make a big difference to our transfer budget. Homegrown talents brought into the first team squad would also help towards PSR. You also forgot to add Casey.
We are potless as is constantly trotted out so please unless we are promoting from within can we just concentrate on journeymen and freebies
Sorry to disagree:
“ Suggestions were that Callum Marshall could be that player, yet at 20 years old, his return of seven goals in 32 appearances for Huddersfield suggests the jump to the Premier League might be too big for him.”
As I commented last week, Callum Marshall is typically playing (and learning to play) out wide at Huddersfield with the manager appearing to prefer a 4-2-3-1 formation with an experienced centre forward as the lone striker.
I would suggest it’s a bit early to make any sort of judgment, and playing out wide / as an inverted wide player / playing alongside a centre forward may be his best role – particularly when looking at his size and stature.
Callum Marshall‘s scored again this afternoon
Callum Marshall is a brilliant player. Probably a number ten in future because his all round game and link up play is exceptional.