- West Ham United could be relegated this evening if Tottenham Hotspur win
- The Hammers would need to fill a £100 million hole if relegated
- This could trigger a player fire sale
West Ham United are perilously close to being relegated from the Premier League, and worries about what a move to the Championship may entail for the Hammers‘ finances are intensifying the pressure on the club.
Nuno Espírito Santo’s side are in a looming situation coming into the final week of the campaign, with supporters dreading more than just losing Premier League status, which could be confirmed if Tottenham Hotspur beat Chelsea on Tuesday night. The Hammers have had a tumultuous season, which has them 18th in the Premier League, and the prospect of relegation now threatens to completely restructure the team.
West Ham have spent over £685 million on playing expenditure in the last four seasons. In their most recent set of accounts, the club reported a £104.2 million shortfall, and their financial troubles would worsen if they are relegated from the Premier League.
West Ham expected to need £100 million from sales amid relegation fears
According to a revealing piece in The Guardian, West Ham may need to recoup more than £100 million through player sales if relegated to the Championship. That revelation has fuelled speculation about a future squad fire sale, with many of West Ham’s most prized players already attracting interest from clubs across Europe.
It has been reported that Manchester United are eyeing Premier League Young Player of the Season candidate Mateus Fernandes and defender El Hadji Malick Diouf as part of a potential double swoop if relegation is confirmed, with the recently acquired pair seen as the prime options who could lead the exodus in an attempt to balance the books and lower the pay expenditure.
Jarrod Bowen is also likely to receive significant attention given his proven Premier League status, with several domestic clubs circling. Meanwhile, wing partner Crysencio Summerville remains one of the club’s most marketable offensive assets and is expected to command a high transfer fee in the current market.
Despite the increasing instability, there may still be stability in the dugout. According to Claret & Hugh, senior officials at West Ham favour Nuno Espírito Santo and are willing to stick with him even if the club is relegated. The club believes Nuno can lead a long-term reconstruction if the worst happens.
