For West Ham, the main aim in the summer transfer window will be strengthing the depth of the squad. Though there are a few players in the current squad that could be sold on to either raise funds, reduce the current wage expenditure, and make room in the squad.
Though in terms of raising funds, there aren’t a lot of players that would be considered surplus to requirements that would fetch a decent sum of money by today’s standards. The main thing would be clearing high earners wages off the books.
Another reason why players could be moved on this summer will be David Moyes deciding that they don’t fit in with his new team mentality. This is no criticism of the players themselves, but Moyes clearly has an idea of what he wants in the dressing room. An example of this is Sebastien Haller.
West Ham have pleaded poverty since the start of the Coronavirus pandemic and will need to raise funds by selling players in the summer.
The Ivorian international was widely believed to have a bad attitude, which was one reason he was unfavoured by Moyes. After the striker’s honest interview with TalkSport, that was clearly not the case.
There are four players in the squad that could arguably be described as fringe players that could be sold in the summer for a few reasons. One reason is that younger players could be promoted in the preseason, and removing them will promote the youngsters development. The other reason is that the club could pick up some sort of fee for the players.
Ryan Fredericks
The right-back was signed as a free agent at the start of the 2018/19 season. The defender was meant to solve West Ham’s issues with the position for years to come. Fredericks, however, has proven to be quite injury-prone during his time at the club.
While 28-year-old has shown his quality at times, injuries have hampered his progression, and he seems always to strike as he gets into a good rhythm of form. Fredericks started this season in great form and was one of the team’s best players early on.
As usual, though, the defender picked up a nasty injury that would keep him out of action for a few months. This game the club reason to sign Tomas Soucek’s mate Vladimir Coufal from SK Slavia Prague. The Czech right-back has cemented himself as first-choice at the club, pushing Fredericks into the fringes of the team.
While Fredericks is still a solid squad player, his position at the club could hamper the development of Ben Johnson. The academy graduate has really impressed in his limited minutes on the pitch this season and should be prioritised for the future.
If West Ham could pick up a fee of roughly £5 million, then they would be making a solid profit on a player that they paid nothing for. Fredericks could still do a job in the Premier League and could make a new home for himself at a newly promoted team.
Fabian Balbuena
Already starting to be linked with a move away from the club, Fabian Balbuena could be the next player to face the chop. The Paraguayan defender has proven to be a useful asset for the club during his three seasons at the club.
Powerful and strong in the air, Balbuena at times has been the best centre-back at the club, though his ability to blowout and pick up niggling injuries have seen him drop down the pecking order at the club.
When Balbuena first signed for the club, he formed a great partnership with Issa Diop, but after a tough second season, it was believed he would be sold. No sale happened last summer or in January, but it may not be too long away.
Balbuena is actually out of contract at the end of this season; however, the club have the option to extend it by a year. West Ham would be wise to do this so they can at least cash in on the defender.
Like Fredericks, Balbuena is approaching 30-years-old and is not the clubs first choice in the position. Considering the prospects of Aji Alese, Jamaal Baptiste and Frederik Alves coming through the youth system, he could hinder their progression.
Balbuena has been linked with loads of clubs over the past six months and has most of the world to choose from in terms of where to go. In January, there was reported interest from SS. Lazio in Italy, but more recently, he has been linked with moves to Saudi Arabia, the MLS and even back to Brazil.
West Ham only paid £6.5 million for the defender and should be able to recoup that in any potential transfer of the player.
Andriy Yarmolenko
Andriy Yarmolenko has had a frustrating period at West Ham since his £17 million transfer from Borussia Dortmund. The forward at times has been one of the most important players at the club when he has been on top form. At other times he has struggled to impact games.
The Ukrainian’s other major issue during his time as a Hammer has been injuries. Yamolenko has suffered major injuries in each of the three seasons he has been at the club. The forward has missed 53 games in just over two and half seasons at the club. This will increase as he is expected to be out until the end of the season with his current injury.
West Ham need to move away from highly paid and injury-prone players. David Moyes wants hard workers in the squads, and although Yarmolenko has improved that side of his game, he can’t be relied on regularly.
Yarmolenko is a luxury player that the Hammers can’t afford to keep hold of. It is believed that the 31-year-old is also the highest-paid player at the club. Considering the contribution of stars like Michail Antonio, Delcan Rice, Tomas Soucek and co are providing, Yarmolenko is not giving back his fair share.
The forward is a quality player on his day, and if he can prove his fitness in the summer, West Ham should look to offload him. In terms of price, it would be a difficult one with his injury history, but the main aim would be to get his £110,000 per week wages off the books.
Yarmolenko will be remembered well by West Ham fans for some great moments, whether it be the winning goal against Chelsea last season or celebrating with the medical staff after scoring against Norwich after his first long injury absence. The forward will go down as a case of what could have been.
Felipe Anderson
Currently away from the club and suffering on a rotten loan in Portugal with FC Porto, Felipe Anderson has quickly become West Ham’s forgotten man. The club’s former record signing burst onto the scene in the Premier League and had a cracking debut campaign.
Anderson’s second campaign is where things started to go wrong for him. The Brazilian only managed one goal, and four assists all season, which was disappointing. Anderson also fell down the pecking order as he did not fit into David Moyes plans.
More from Green Street Hammers - West Ham
- Brighton vs West Ham predictions: Can James Ward-Prowse help end the curse?
- West Ham and two Premier League rivals made huge transfer stand
- Lucas Paqueta bet allegations discussed in West Ham and Man City transfer talks
- Bournemouth vs West Ham predictions: Premier League opener amid transfer chaos
- West Ham near Denis Zakaria transfer after final James Ward-Prowse bid
The winger was dropped from the Premier League side and moved into the League Cup team, where he started to show glimpses of his top form. Before he was given a chance to show it back in the Premier League, he was loaned out to FC Porto, in hindsight a terrible move.
The aim was for Anderson to play regularly and build up his confidence for either a return to West Ham or to restore some value on his name ahead of a potential sale this summer. As it turns out, Porto’s manager only likes to use loan players as a last resort, and Anderson has paid the price.
The winger has only made four appearances in Portugal, and this has seen his value plummet. It would make sense for the club to cash in just to move on from the player. If a bid came in of £15-£20 million, then, after swallowing some pride, it would be a decent recuperation for the player.
Though if no such bid arrives for Anderson, the club should keep hold of him. If West Ham qualifies for some European competition this season, he could be a useful asset in the squad.
If West Ham do actually qualify for Europe though it could be wise to keep the squad together and not sell off many players. David Moyes will need a deep squad capable of challenging in multiple competitions.