With four confirmed departures, the merciful end of a miserable Premier League season suddenly takes on a more emotional slant for supporters of West Ham United.
Ahead of Sunday’s 2-0 win away at Manchester United, The Hammers confirmed that some of their longest-serving – and most popular – players would be departing when their contracts expire in July.
Aaron Cresswell, Vladimir Coufal and Lukasz Fabianski are exiting after so many years of loyal service. Twenty-three years of loyal service between them, to be precise. Not to mention over 750 appearances in the claret and blue of West Ham United.
So, what next?
Do Cresswell and Coufal both still have something to offer at the top level? Czech Republic international Coufal was a target for Fulham in January and would ideally like to stay put in London. Particularly now that Coufal’s son has joined West Ham’s academy.
As for Fabianski, even at the age of 40, it appears there are still clubs keen to extend the Pole’s long career for at least another year.
Legia Warsaw want Lukasz Fabianski with West Ham exit confirmed
Before joining Arsenal all the way back in 2007, a baby-faced Fabianski won the Polish league title with Legia Warsaw. Nearly two decades later, the 15-time Ekstraklasa champions are looking to lure their former shot-stopper back to where it all began.
Yet, as Legia’s sporting director Michal Zewkalow explains, Fabianski has not even answered his calls at this stage.
“Honestly, I called, but there was no contact,” Zewkalow explains. “I made the move. [Fabianski] didn’t pick up.”
Whether this is because Fabianski has little interest in re-joining the club who handed him his senior debut, or whether there is a more innocent explanation, only time will tell.
Hammers News were told, via a source from the London Stadium, that West Ham want to ‘reinvent the squad’ while putting plans in place for around five new signings this summer. The Hammers will have a renewed focus – perhaps belatedly – on rising stars rather than experienced pros heading down the other side of the hill.
Graham Potter bids farewell but Alphonse Areola could become latest departure
West Ham reportedly want Aaron Ramsdale as a potential replacement between the sticks. The England international has a £25 million relegation clause in his Southampton contract.
There is a suggestion that the man who replaced Fabianski as The Hammers’ number one could also depart.
Espanyol reportedly like Alphonse Areola. The former Real Madrid and Villarreal glovesman could return to La Liga as a replacement for Los Periquitos’ extremely highly-rated Joan Garcia.
“Aaron, Lukasz, Vladimir and Danny [Ings] have been a pleasure to work with in my time here so far,” Potter said following the confirmation of four Hammers departures, seldom-seen striker Ings also heading out the door.
“All brilliant professionals on and off the pitch, with fantastic experience in the Premier League, and clearly loved and admired by their team-mates and everyone here at the club.
“We still have three [now two] important matches to play this season, and I know that their focus will be 100 per cent on helping the team in any way they can in those games.
“But we felt it was important to confirm this news now, out of respect for them and the service they have given to the club, and to allow our supporters to show their appreciation at our final home match of the season.”
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