June 30th not only represents the start of a new footballing financial year, it also spells the end for a handful of West Ham United players whose contracts are now officially up.
Following a rather quiet June, the Hammers can expect a hectic July.
The battle between Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur should see a winner declared in the coming days; a long overdue end to the ceaseless Mateus Fernandes saga. Movement is inevitable around another of West Ham United’s most coveted talents, too. Especially after Crysencio Summerville’s World Cup journey ended at the hands of Morocco in Monterrey.
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Fernandes and Summerville are certain to become the Hammers’ first big money-spinners of the new financial year. In the meantime, a handful of fringe players, youngsters and benchwarmers are now officially free-agents as the West Ham clear-out kicks up a notch.
Adama Traore and Callum Wilson headline West Ham United exits
West Ham confirmed a few weeks ago that Adama Traore would not see his contract extended. A January signing from Fulham, Traore did not start a single Premier League match in the second half of the campaign.
Callum Wilson made a much greater contribution, of course, but he too is now a free-agent. Hammers News have already confirmed that West Ham are open to keeping Wilson around for another season. This is why the veteran poacher was not included on their official ‘released’ list on June 10th.
Wilson is determined to join the Premier League’s ‘100 club’ before he hangs up his boots, however. The former England international is currently on 96 and reportedly a target for newly-promoted Hull City.
For the second time in 12 months, Lukasz Fabianski leaves West Ham upon the expiry of his contract. At the age of 41, he is unlikely to be back this time around. Certainly not in a playing capacity; Fabianski is planning to work as a goalkeeping coach in Poland.
In addition to three departing veterans, youngsters Junior Robinson, Tom Wooster, Daniel Rigge and Tyron Akpata have all seen their deals run out today. Robinson struggled for minutes on loan at Livingston and Boreham Wood, Wooster is behind Fin Herrick and Mason Terry in the pecking order, and Rigge barely featured in Premier League 2.
The departure of Tyron Akpata is a slight surprise, though, given how impressive he was during the Hammers’ run to the National League Cup final. One suspects it will not take Akpata long to find employment, possibly in the EFL.
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Tomas Soucek could stay but uncertainty surrounds Alphonse Areola
As the contracts of Akpata, Wilson, Traore and co expire, those tied down until 2027 will start to look towards their own futures from here on in. This feels like a potentially make-or-break season for George Earthy. West Ham have decisions to make about Alphonse Areola and James Ward-Prowse, though Tomas Soucek’s chances of a fresh start away from East London may have evaporated after that World Cup injury.
Regan Clayton, Ryan Battrum and goalkeeper Reece Byrne are among the other hopeful prospects who could find themselves in the free-agency boat in 12 months’ time.
Krisztian Hegyi, at least, has taken matters into his own hands.
Hungarian goalkeeper Hegyi joined Sparta Prague on a permanent basis earlier this month, securing some much-needed clarity with regards to his next steps.
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