West Ham are bracing themselves for an awkward summer reunion as several high‑earning senior players return from disappointing loan spells. Once seen as valuable assets, they now look more like expensive baggage the club is desperate to shift.
Maxwel Cornet, whose time at Genoa has been ravaged by injuries, is probably the least productive of the bunch. Seven appearances, six separate injuries, and a staggering 149 days sidelined this season alone paint a grim picture. With his contract running until 2027 and his 30th birthday in September, his future at the London Stadium is virtually nonexistent.
£17m man Cornet has made a plea to David Moyes
Maxwel who? Cornet coming back again…
Niclas Füllkrug’s stint at AC Milan has been nothing short of disastrous. One goal in 16 matches tells its own story, and at 33 years old, with a contract running until 2028 his future in claret and blue looks bleak. A few Bundesliga sides are reportedly sniffing around, but any deal will likely involve a heavily reduced fee, leaving West Ham staring at a significant financial loss despite amortisation softening the blow.
Edson Álvarez hasn’t fared much better. His loan at Fenerbahçe was derailed by persistent ankle issues, culminating in surgery in February. With just eleven appearances and four yellow cards to his name, the 28‑year‑old midfielder returns to London with his stock at an all‑time low.
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Ajax are keen to bring him back, and Claret & Hugh believe West Ham are more than willing to negotiate but Álvarez will need to accept a wage cut to make the move happen.
West Ham therefore face a brutal reality check this summer: three high‑earning players returning with little value, limited fitness, and even fewer suitors.
Offloading them will require compromise, huge financial losses, and some difficult conversations.