West Ham Face Their Most Important Week Since Sullivan’s Exit

By Kris Gonzo | Senior West Ham Columnist (Follow on X)

A defining week for Křetínský

West Ham United and Daniel Křetínský in particular are set for the most important few days at the club since David Sullivan resigned as chairman.

With the transfer of Mateus Fernandes to Tottenham for £85 million almost complete, attention now turns to retaining as many key members of the playing squad as possible whilst Křetínský increases his shareholding to secure his power base and ability to run the football club.

As of midnight last night, David Sullivan’s option to buy out Vanessa Gold’s shares expired, with the transfer of some of the Gold family shares expected to be moved over to Křetínský. At that point, the Czech billionaire should inject some working capital into the club, further diluting the remaining shareholders and increasing his own stake.

The next challenge begins

Meanwhile, the Hammers will not only have to deal with enquiries for Crysencio Summerville, who is expected to leave, but also unwanted attention for Jarrod Bowen, with Sam Delaney claiming on the The West Ham Way podcast last night that a deal for the West Ham captain to move to Aston Villa was all but done.

Křetínský and his newly assembled West Ham board made a pledge to keep the club’s key players, and there is a level of understanding and pragmatism amongst the Hammers faithful that Mateus Fernandes and Summerville will need to go.

But if the club were to start selling the likes of Bowen as well, then the pledge from the board would start looking very weak.

A huge amount of work to do

The appointment of Nils Koppen as recruitment director cannot come soon enough, so the club can begin the process of filling the gaps in the squad ahead of a push for a return to the Premier League.

As things stand, even with the loss of Mateus Fernandes and Summerville, plus factoring in the expected departures of Jean-Clair Todibo and Aaron Wan-Bissaka, West Ham still retain an excellent core group of players which Nuno Espírito Santo should be able to mould into a good Championship team, with some recruitment needed in certain areas.

But make no mistake about it. With players leaving, a new director of football, the reconstitution of the board of directors, new signings to make, and Nuno adding to his backroom staff, the club face an incredibly busy week before training begins on 6 July.