West Ham’s Surprise Lifeline Option For Forgotten Star

West Ham return could surprise everyone 

With a shortage of options at full-back and up front, if Maxwel Cornet cannot be moved on this summer—and can remain fit—he potentially offers a solution for Graham Potter in both departments.

It is widely expected that Emerson will leave this summer, and following the release of Vladimir Coufal, this leaves West Ham with only Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Ollie Scarles as their recognised full-back options.

Cornet, who earns a reported salary of £65k per week and is under contract until June 2027, is attracting interest from Genoa. However, the Italian side are only pursuing a loan move with the expectation that West Ham fund the majority of his wages—an arrangement the club is unwilling to consider.

Unless a permanent move is agreed, with Cornet accepting reduced terms, he is likely to remain part of the first-team squad for the upcoming season.

The Ivory Coast international joined West Ham in 2022 after impressing for Burnley, where he finished the season as the club’s top scorer with nine goals in twenty-six appearances.

A lesser known fact is that at his previous club, Olympique Lyon, he was tested at the left-back position following injuries to Youssouf Koné and Fernando Marçal in January 2020. After impressing in the role, he became the club’s starting left-back for the remainder of the season.

Unfortunately, the player’s career has been hampered by recurring injuries—including a thigh flexor issue during his loan spell at Genoa. As he returns to training, West Ham’s medical team will closely monitor his condition over the coming weeks.