West Ham United are expected to part ways with a player highly regarded by manager Julen Lopetegui in 2025, amid growing uncertainty over the futures of several key figures within the squad.
Under-pressure Lopetegui facing squad shake-up
Lopetegui secured a vital 2-1 victory over Manchester United on Sunday, a result that eased some of the pressure on the Spaniard’s shoulders and bought him valuable time. The win proved decisive, as it coincided with Erik ten Hag’s resignation from the Red Devils’ hot seat.
While West Ham have now claimed two wins from their last three Premier League fixtures, their form earlier in the season left much to be desired.
The Hammers endured a miserable spell from August through to early October without a win in any competition, an alarming dip for a side that invested heavily in the summer transfer window, spending around £120 million.
Lopetegui’s next few matches could prove pivotal, starting with a home encounter against an in-form Nottingham Forest side managed by Nuno Espírito Santo this weekend.
In a bid to turn the tide, the West Ham boss is reportedly ready to make tough decisions, including dropping Lucas Paquetá from the starting line-up.
According to GiveMeSport, Lopetegui is prepared to take a “ruthless” approach in an effort to galvanise his squad and preserve his position at the helm.
However, Lopetegui’s efforts to stabilise the team are being complicated by growing speculation over the future of some of his key players.
Mohammed Kudus, one of West Ham’s standout performers this season, has emerged as a target for Barcelona, alongside interest from Saudi clubs and Premier League rivals.
Losing the Ghanaian international would represent a significant blow, given his importance in West Ham’s attacking setup.
Further complicating matters, West Ham may look to offload striker Niclas Füllkrug as early as January. The German forward’s time in east London has been hampered by an ongoing Achilles tendon injury, limiting his impact since arriving in the summer.
Carlos Soler unlikely to stay beyond this season
Among the other uncertainties is the future of Carlos Soler, who joined West Ham on loan from Paris Saint-Germain.
According to Claret and Hugh, the Hammers are unlikely to make Soler’s move permanent, despite holding a £27 million option to buy.
The club reportedly pays £80,000 per week towards Soler’s salary, which only covers part of his substantial PSG wages, making a permanent deal financially challenging.
Lopetegui has publicly praised Soler as a “great” player and highlighted his versatility, but it seems increasingly likely that the 2024/25 season will be the Spaniard’s only campaign in claret and blue.