It is now not out of the ordinary for top Premier League clubs to spend over 100 million on a player. West Ham United never spent that much when they were in the top flight. Now that they are in the Championship, they would not be able to afford to.
West Ham's recruitment was often seen as outdated and led by agents rather than a data-driven recruitment team. That appears to have changed recently with the appointment of Nils Koppen over the summer. If the Hammers had got this sorted, then some of their big-money signings could have been smarter.
Most expensive West Ham incoming transfers
5. Mohammed Kudus - £38m - 2023
Kudus arrived at West Ham from Ajax just after they had won the Europa Conference League. He starred for West Ham in the Premier League and the Europa League. His dribbling ability led to some notable goals, particularly the one against Freiburg. That finish got a nomination for the FIFA Puskas Award.
In 80 matches for West Ham, Kudus scored 19 goals with 13 assists. Last year, he transferred to Tottenham Hotspur for £55 million. He was the first player to make that move since Scott Parker did back in 2011. Since he has been at Spurs, Kudus has struggled with injuries.
4. Max Kilman - £40m - 2024
Kilman followed Julen Lopetegui from Wolverhampton Wanderers to West Ham. His form was initially good, but after Lopetegui was sacked, Kilman struggled under Graham Potter and then Nuno Espírito Santo. However, in the Championship this season, it looks like Kilman has got his confidence back.
3. Mateus Fernandes - £42m - 2025
Fernandes was signed from relegated Southampton and starred for the Hammers. Despite his form, Fernandes was unable to prevent West Ham from going down. The East London side still managed to make a profit on him as he was sold to Tottenham for £85 million. It looks like the Portuguese international will be in for another relegation battle this campaign.
2. Sébastien Haller - £45m - 2019
Haller was a proven goalscorer with Eintracht Frankfurt, but many strikers have struggled at West Ham. The Ivorian was no exception, and he managed just 14 goals in 52 games for the Hammers. He then went to Ajax where he rediscovered his form and got a move to Borussia Dortmund. Whilst with Dortmund, he overcame testicular cancer, and he now plays in Japan for Sanfrecce Hiroshima.
1. Lucas Paquetá - £51 million - 2022
Paquetá's Olympique Lyonnais were beaten by West Ham in the Europa League in 2022. However, the Brazilian impressed, and that summer he joined the Hammers. He had moments of brilliance and the typical flair that attacking players from his country possess.
The midfielder set up Jarrod Bowen's winner in the Europa Conference League, and he was even linked with a move to Manchester City. However, betting allegations marred his time at the London Stadium. Paquetá was eventually cleared, but it all became too much, and he returned to Brazil to join Flamengo.
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