News broke yesterday that former Manchester City and Real Madrid manager Manuel Pellegrini joined West Ham as a replacement for David Moyes.
Pellegrini has already said that he wants to play an attacking brand of football, which is not only music to West Ham fans’ ears, but also a hint at some possible transfers.
However, with new arrivlas set to come in, there will be players who will see the end of their West Ham careers as the Chilean looks to turn the Hammers’ fortunes around and make a push for European football.
Who are the players who he could let go in his first transfer window? We’ve taken a look.
Andy Carroll
Due to his awful injury record, Andy Carroll gets linked with a move away from The Hammers almost every transfer window.
Now that the club are looking for a fresh start under Pellegrini, the sale of Carroll could easily be the first move made by the new manager.
Cheikhou Kouyate
Cheikhou Kouyate had a very inconsistent season, with no average performances, just some very good games or some very bad games.
West Ham’s midfield is in desperate need for new ideas, with Mark Noble not getting any younger, Pedro Obiang only just recovering from injury and Joao Mario going back to Inter Milan after his loan move in January.
If Pellegrini is to sell Kouyate, it could help him fund moves for proven, Premier League midfielders, which the Hammers need if they are to push on in the 2018/19 season.
Reece Oxford
Reece Oxford spent last season on loan at Borussia Monchengladbach over the space of two spells, but he hasn’t had the impact that many thought he would in the Bundesliga.
Declan Rice has now overtaken Oxford in the defensive pecking order at the London Stadium and with the West Ham defence in need of experienced class, Pellegrini may want to cash in on Oxford now before his value drops.
Michail Antonio
This may be a very unpopular choice, however, Michail Antonio has not looked the same since his England call up in September 2017.
He has become injury prone, and when he has played, he has barely impressed, with some very lackluster performances.
Like Oxford, it may be worth selling Antonio now and get a good price for him before his value starts to decline.
Antonio would still sell for quite a lot, which could bring in fund for an adequate replacement.