Tuesday’s report from Sky Sports, which suggested West Ham couldn’t afford the wages of Juventus midfielder Douglas Luiz, had me asking… why not?
I’ve no particular attachment to the former Villa man beyond thinking he’d improve our midfield. What struck me was the claim that his salary demands were too much for us to handle. That’s what sent me scrambling for a calculator.
Now, I’m no financial expert, and I certainly don’t have access to West Ham’s payroll, but even with a conservative approach, it feels like we’ve made serious savings on last season’s wages—enough to cover a £138k per week salary.
Just to be clear, I’m not saying we should sign him—there are arguably more appealing targets—but to say we can’t afford him just doesn’t add up.
Doesn’t add-up: Luiz wage is £138k per week
I’ve tried to be cautious with my estimates, deliberately erring on the low side, but the club has offloaded several players either permanently or returning loanees. Here are some conservative weekly wage figures:
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Michail Antonio – £75k
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Aaron Cresswell – £60k
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Łukasz Fabiański – £60k
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Vladimír Coufal – £35k
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Mohammed Kudus – £65k
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Evan Ferguson – £35k
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Carlos Soler – £85k
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Danny Ings – £85k
That’s a minimum saving of around £500k per week. Yes, we’ve added Malick Diouf, Callum Wilson, and Kyle Walker-Peters—but they won’t have dented that figure significantly.
So why the claim we can’t pay for Luiz’s wages? It just doesn’t make sense.
Whilst we’re currently struggling to shift players, I’d be surprised if a bid doesn’t come in for Edson Álvarez before the window shuts. The club will also receive offers for Cornet, Rodríguez, and Irving—even if the fees are lower than we’d like.
There may not be a huge fund for transfer fees, but I do believe there’s room in the wage budget.
138k – his current wage, and not necessarily what his agent wants to move is more than Paqueta or Bowen. You’re good with that?
Spot on Gonzo But everything going on at W Ham at the moment dosnt add up or make any sense
Was Ings not supposed to be on £125k a week?
Always used to see that figure floated around and finding it insane but even if it were “only” £85k it raises serious questions.
Regardless though, definitely right that all the money freed up by departures then there has to be more than enough to cover Luiz. Sounds more of a “We don’t feel he’s value for his demands” than “We can’t afford his demands” though… or would like to hope so.
Based on a % of revenue under psr, our revenue has collapsed due to league position, no European revenue etc..
Unlike every other club, because we don’t own our ground we can’t increase revenue and the ability to grow our wage bill because the team has been abysmal and unsuccessful..
Think they’re trying to operate with reduced ability to pay…
Gonzo
I would imagine it is not that they can’t afford to pay him 138k it is about having a wage structure across the whole squad.
Next season we could have serious financial problems. Season ticket sales are way down. They have relented on the concession pricing. TV money will go down as we are not an attractive watch. No European football. Are likely to earn less from our league placing. We have a big squad of players we can’t get rid of.
The last thing we need is to go bust again.
It’s because it suits the clubs narrative Gonzo, Sullivan has to “justify” why we are going for the cheapest options and freebies. Unfortunately for him we aren’t taken in by his bs anymore.
If moneys tight let’s resign Pablo Fornals Gonzo. Probably available at a bargain price after his recent onfield punch up in a not so friendly friendly playing for Betis in Spain.
You can also add whatever the portion we paid for Zouma
I’m loathed to defend the board, cause I think we are going backwards quickly but perhaps we can’t afford him on the basis of our plans to sign other players… haha as if…