- West Ham United are in the Premier League relegation zone
- Some Hammers players could see their wages slashed with relegation
- Ray Parlour says it would be a ‘shame’ to see Jarrod Bowen lead West Ham exodus
West Ham United are facing a summer of uncertainty as relegation fears mount, with former Premier League midfielder Ray Parlour speculating that many key players may leave the London Stadium if the team is relegated to the Championship.
As the season draws to a close, the Hammers’ survival bid in the Premier League is edging closer to a finish, and the financial fallout from relegation is already a hot topic of discussion. According to reports, certain West Ham players’ contracts have provisions that would drastically cut their wages should the team lose their top-flight status.
Concerns over a possible departure have grown in recent weeks, with various reports suggesting West Ham might be forced into a major reconstruction if they fail to maintain their top-flight status due to their precarious finances.
Ray Parlour says it would be a ‘shame’ to see Bowen lead West Ham exodus
Speaking on talkSPORT with Breakfast host Jeff Stelling, Parlour admitted supporters would be devastated if captain Jarrod Bowen was among those to depart, even though it’s an increasingly likely outcome.
Stelling said: “Talk about needing an incentive, they all have 50 per cent salary cut clauses in their contracts.”
Parlour replied: “A lot of the big boys will be leaving anyway, I’m sure there are clauses in there where they can leave as well. I’m sure there will be a bit of a queue for Bowen and people like that, it’s a shame”
Bowen has been linked with interest from other Premier League teams amid West Ham’s struggles, while Matheus Fernandes and Crysencio Summerville have also been highlighted as likely departures if relegation were confirmed.
The bleak prognosis is compounded by uncertainty about Nuno Espírito Santo’s future. The head coach was brought in on a three-year deal to stave off relegation and build a foundation in the Premier League; however, with the club on the brink of relegation, it remains to be seen whether the Portuguese will be at the helm come next season.
