West Ham remain firmly tied to a sell-before-you-buy stance this summer as Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) continue to restrict spending. Even with numerous transfer links flying around, club sources insist there’s little room to manoeuvre unless player sales are made.
According to The Guardian’s Jacob Steinberg, the Hammers are hamstrung by the Premier League’s financial regulations, with no sign yet that their tight grip on transfers will ease. Despite supporters’ hopes for a summer of change, there’s one hard truth that remains: West Ham still need to sell before they can buy.
Little Room for New Additions Without Player Sales
Although new manager Graham Potter has already outlined key areas for improvement, including a left-footed centre-back, two midfielders, a striker and a goalkeeper, the possibility of fulfilling even half that list depends heavily on departures.
Even with veteran players like Michail Antonio, Aaron Cresswell, Vladimír Coufal, Danny Ings and Łukasz Fabiański either gone or heading for the exit door, the club’s financial position remains tight. The return of loanees Carlos Soler and Evan Ferguson to their parent clubs hasn’t created the breathing room many hoped for.
Outgoings Still Needed to Fund Rebuild
The message is consistent: unless more players are sold, the rebuild will be limited. Figures like Mohammed Kudus, Lucas Paquetá, Emerson, Maxwel Cornet, Edson Álvarez, Guido Rodríguez and Andy Irving have all drawn interest from elsewhere, which could open the door to movement if bids arrive.
To date, Brazilian winger Luis Guilherme is the only confirmed arrival, with El-Hadji Malick Diouf reportedly close to following him. But with as many as five positions requiring fresh faces, those signings alone don’t come close to what’s needed.
Academy Path Likely to Be Key
With funds tight and injuries already impacting availability, Potter may have to lean more on academy talent. Guilherme could get early chances to shine, but things aren’t ideal elsewhere.
For instance, new signing Crysencio Summerville isn’t expected to be match-ready until at least September. That delay adds more pressure, especially if the club can’t secure another creative midfielder to take some of that burden.
No Shortage of Ambition, But Finances Tell the Story
The club’s ambitions for a strong Premier League run and possible European qualification haven’t changed, but the tools to get there may be limited unless players are sold to unlock further spending.
While links to potential targets continue daily, the bottom line hasn’t shifted: West Ham still have to sell before they can buy. Until those moves happen, Potter will have to work with what he’s got — or risk starting the season short on squad depth in key areas.
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