David Sullivan
(Credit: Imago)
Daniel Lewis
Tue 27 May 2025 12:10, UK
West Ham United supporters were counting down the matches until the end of the season in what was a terrible 2024-25 campaign.
The Hammers never got going under Julen Lopetegui and replacement Graham Potter also did not inspire a turnaround in fortunes, leading to talk that even he could be sacked.
Indeed, there was not even a relegation battle to keep supporters occupied until the end due to just how poor the bottom three were this time around.
However, with Leeds United and Burnley surely posing more of a threat next season – plus ambitious Sunderland also up – West Ham cannot afford to sit back this summer.
That is why quotes attributed to a West Ham spokesperson make for worrying reading from a Hammers perspective.
West Ham manager Graham Potter
Potter enjoyed a victory over Ipswich on the final day (Credit: Imago)
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West Ham summer transfer update shared
West Ham beat relegated Ipswich Town 3-1 on the final day, with that result lifting Potter’s men up to 14th place.
It makes for a far more respectable finish that many expected a week or so beforehand, but there is a risk that the final-day win could now paper over the cracks.
And if quotes shared by Hammers News (27 May) are anything to go by, that could well be the case.
“Our quality finally started to show through at Ipswich, it was pleasing to end a difficult season on a positive,” a spokesman said.
“Now our full focus and all our energy turns to the transfer window. There is work to do.
“With no money under FFP and PSR rules until we sell some players, we are going to have to be very clever this summer.”
David Sullivan’s wealth UK ranking
2024 – £1.168bn 150th
2025 – £1.118bn 143rd
Sullivan’s personal wealth
These quotes suggest that David Sullivan and Co. may well rest on their laurels, believing that what was produced against Ipswich is a sign of better things to come.
Confirmation that there is no money to spend unless sales are made, meanwhile, only heightens the issue from United’s perspective.
Kudus is regularly linked with a West Ham exit (Credit: Imago)
Who could West Ham sell in summer transfer window?
Given Lucas Paqueta’s high-profile issues, one of West Ham’s biggest financial assets is not on the table for rival clubs.
However, Jarrod Bowen continues to be linked with the West Ham exit, while Mohammed Kudus is another regular in the gossip columns.
Put simply, West Ham simply cannot sell Bowen for any price. Even if it brings in £100million-plus, like the sale of Declan Rice to Arsenal, it is would damage the squad too much.
It may well be that a first-team regular has to make way, but the key is to ensure the squad come September is stronger than it is right now.
And for that to happen, the West Ham board cannot afford to be lulled into a false sense of security after finishing in a deceiving league position thanks to the final-day win.
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