Transfer insider Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that West Ham United’s crucial first player sale of the summer is in the works, sparking mixed reactions from fans.
Some Hammers are seeing it as smart business while others have been questioning the club’s decision.
West Ham need to raise significant funds through player sales to fund Graham Potter’s summer rebuild.
Potter promised an “exciting and interesting” window as he looks to completely revamp West Ham’s ageing team.
But the Hammers continue to insist they are unable to spend due to PSR.
As a result sales are urgently needed to bring in cash as rival clubs make early moves.
Essentially everyone in the West Ham squad bar Jarrod Bowen, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Crysencio Summerville are for sale at the right price.
West Ham’s grand plan is to raise over £100m in player sales.
Quick sales vital if West Ham are to start making signings
The club’s owners are banking on making a big chunk of that from offloading Mohammed Kudus.
The Hammers are very much open to offers for Nayef Aguerd, Niclas Fullkrug, Guido Rodriguez, Edson Alvarez, Emerson Palmieri, Konstantinos Mavropanos and even Tomas Soucek.
It has been confirmed two top young stars will be joining West Ham on July 1.
Revamping midfield, signing a new striker, versatile full-back, centre-back and goalkeeper are Potter’s priorities.
So there is a lot to do when the summer transfer window “reopens” on Monday until September 1st.
Especially if Potter – as the manager stated himself – ‘ideally’ wants to be able to work with new signings in pre-season.
As the Hammers keep stating, though, they need to make sales before they can ‘start trading’.
Up to now there have been no deals in the offing to help boost the transfer kitty.
In that respect there is some good news from a top transfer insider.
Fabrizio Romano has confirmed the first West Ham sale is in motion but fans have mixed feelings about it.
The Irons have already released six players this summer and it has been claimed Michail Antonio will be the next.
The writing has looked on the wall for Emerson Palmieri ever since Potter arrived in January.
The manager has repeatedly stated he inherited a defensive mess at West Ham.
So it is telling that one of the first and main defensive changes he has made has been Emerson.
Dropped for youngster Ollie Scarles in Potter’s very first game in charge, Emerson has rarely started for West Ham since.
When Emerson has started under Potter he has been subbed off every single time.
The 30-year-old hit a new low when West Ham went to Ipswich for the last game of the season as he was dropped from the squad altogether.
Romano confirms first West Ham sale is in motion
Emerson sent a cryptic post after that Potter snub which many believed was a huge hint he will be leaving this summer.
The left-back has been linked with moves to Turkey and back to Italy. It’s even been claimed Lazio want to sign Emerson from West Ham – which would be a controversial move given he played for their bitter rivals Roma previously.
The Brazilian-born Italian international was the best player on the pitch as in the semi-finals and final when West Ham won the Europa Conference League.
In many ways the run to European glory was the making of Emerson as a Hammer.
The ex Lyon star had blown hot and cold following his £13.5m move from Chelsea.
But having been one of West Ham’s best players for a spell after Prague, Emerson’s form has – like much of the team – dipped in the last 18 months.
Now it looks like he has played his last game for the club.
Romano says he understands Emerson and West Ham are planning to part ways.
He also revealed several clubs have already started moving for Emerson as Potter has informed the player he is happy for him to leave.
West Ham fans have mixed feelings on Emerson exit
Even though it has been quite obvious Emerson is not part of Potter’s plans, Hammers supporters have very conflicting views on the matter.
In light of Romano’s revelation, E20 Zone posted a video tribute to Emerson and thanked him for his service alongside a heart emoji on X.
West Ham fan Jack Hobbs said one performance of Emerson’s will be remembered forever.
“The streets will never forget that man of the match performance in the final,” he said.
Another Hammers fan was saddened by the news.
“Gutted,” she said.
“Absolutely love our Emmy. A classy player with a nice manner. A top professional. He’s won the lot. I hope he goes back to Italy and really enjoys his football.”
Rob Bryan said he will never be forgotten for his part in ending West Ham’s 43-year major trophy drought.
“Emerson was instrumental in us winning that conference trophy. I for one will never forget that.”
West Ham selling Emerson branded ‘silly move’
Some Hammers are worried Potter is making a big mistake.
“This is such a silly move on our part,” one supporter said.
“He has been a fantastic player for us and is still our best LB. Why would we even think about selling him We better prepare for another hard long season.”
West Ham fan Ian Taylor is worried by the lack of depth after Potter also released duo Vladimir Coufal and Aaron Cresswell.
“Blimey leaves Scarles and Wan-Bissaka as full backs, dear me.”
Another Hammers supporter added: “Stupid decision, he’s been solid for us.”
A fellow West Ham fan agreed, using clown emojis to sum up what he thinks of Potter’s decision, saying: “Really don’t understand this, he has been one our most consistent players, it must be all about the money.”
Steve Davis predicts it is indicative of how the summer window is going to pan out for West Ham.
“We will sell all our good players, replace with kids/inexperienced Championship players and cry when relegated,” he said.
“Ridiculous decision,” Jono Sharpe added.
Hammers fan Diane said: “I’m gutted, he’s an excellent player. Good luck to him.”
West Ham Geezer said the decision will only be the right one if the Hammers sign the right replacement.
He said: “Good solid reliable full back but same with any player leaving, its ultimately all about who is replacing them and is it an upgrade. Massive concerns personally we will get recruitment right this window.”
Matt Woodruff says Emerson doesn’t play well enough often enough.
“Don’t care tbh he’s good every once in a while then he just can’t defend for ages,” he said.
Kris Johnson thinks it makes perfect sense to sell Emerson.
He said: “Not really a wing back, and can’t play LCB. Doesn’t fit into Potter’s system so it makes sense. I just don’t really like Potter’s system and I don’t trust Sullivan signing the right replacement.”
Many supporters replied simply asking “why?” or with a crying emoji.
With all that said, Potter must have a plan to bring in at least one versatile full-back.
The Hammers can’t leave themselves with Wan-Bissaka and Scarles. Especially as the latter struggled after an impressive first few games.
Kyle Walker-Peters and a number of other full-backs have been linked.
A fullback star Potter signed at Brighton has also announced he is moving this summer, so that could be an option for the Hammers.
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