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West Ham United are a club moving in the right direction. David Gold and David Sullivan have showcased a willingness to back Manuel Pellegrini in the transfer market, but the club’s finances could be working more efficiently.
If the Hammers want to move up to the next level, they need to continue attracting players of Felipe Anderson’s and Issa Diop’s calibre. That’s an endeavour which, particularly given how the transfer market has developed in recent years, can be financially crippling.
There are no shortcuts to the top, but a handful of smart decisions could help Pellegrini in his bid to challenge the top-six next season.
Those decisions concern his current squad of players, which is littered with players who, for one reason or another, should leave the London Stadium this summer.
Based on figures provided by Spotrac, we’ve taken a look at a selection of players who Gold and Sullivan could offload to free up the wage bill in the summer transfer window.
Players who look destined to depart
Perhaps rather reluctantly, the Hammers faithful may be forced to wave goodbye to one of a dying breed: Pablo Zabaleta, a genuine warrior whose exemplary attitude has enabled him to perform beyond his means at the top level.
The Argentine is 34-years-old and out of contract in the summer. He is a fan-favourite and still a decent squad player, but the opportunity to slash £3.9m from the yearly wage bill could tempt Pellegrini to usher his fellow South American out of the exit door.
Paradoxically, Marko Arnautovic’s decision to sign a contract extension in January injected an extra layer of substance to the general feeling that he will leave in the summer. It seems clear that the saga has only just begun, and his potential departure would wipe £5.2m off the wage bill.
Andy Carroll’s exit, however, should be more straightforward. He is out of contract in June and his torrid record with injuries has sprayed the writing firmly on the wall. To compound the situation, his style of play is antithetical to Pellegrini’s philosophy. £4.68m saved.
One would assume that backup goalkeeper Adrian, earning £2.6m per year, will also be released when his contract expires in the summer, with a desire for first-team opportunities likely to force the Spaniard’s hand.
Players who aren’t earning their wage
If Gold and Sullivan can find a buyer for Javier Hernandez, they would be foolish not to send him packing. The Mexico international is the highest earner at the club on £140k per week, equivalent to £7.28m per year. West Ham would surely be able to sign a superior talent on a lower wage.
The decision to sign Lucas Perez was a low cost gamble which hasn’t paid off. It seems his style is incompatible with the Premier League, so the Hammers should trim his £4.16m salary if possible.
Pedro Obiang and Sam Byram earn £2.86m and £1.56m respectively, and both players have failed to build a compelling case to remain in east London beyond the summer.
Results of West Ham’s clear-out
Allowing all of the aforementioned players to leave the club would put Gold and Sullivan in a much healthier financial situation. A total of £32.24 million would be removed from the yearly wage budget, which equates to £620k per week – enough to pay Manuel Lanzini’s weekly wage of £70k nearly nine times over.