How much should West Ham value star duo at?

Earlier this year, many news outlets were outspoken in their reporting of Chelsea’s interest in West Ham’s lively Enner Valencia. It was widely reported that Chelsea were prepared to offer in the region of £20million for the Ecuadorian during the January transfer window, but the deal never materialised, and Valencia stayed a Hammer come the close of the window. Valencia acknowledged the rumours, stating that the reported interest was a ‘big compliment’ and that it inspired him to ‘do better’.

The Guardian also mentioned that the current league leaders were interested in Valencia’s high-scoring team-mate Diafra Sakho at the same time – but this rumour did not quite catch on to the extent that the Valencia one did.

Still, it’s a worry for West Ham that the season has not quite finished in the same vein as it started – and the threat of losing some of our strong players to the irritatingly bright lights of higher finishing clubs is potentially a real one. As our season draws to a close, interest in some of our strong players will inevitably crop up – and it may just force us to ask a tough question. Is there an amount of money West Ham could consider accepting for one or both of the aforementioned players – or is it more important to keep them at the team, regardless of the money they could bring in?

The two cost West Ham an approximate combined £15.5 million – a fee mainly relating to the £12million fee paid for Valencia. This is a relatively low fee for two combined strikers of their calibre, and with the reported £20million price tag for Valencia, an £8million profit on one player alone would not be bad money. Sakho could go for a far greater profit given his bargain purchase price and the amount of goals he’s scored this season.

But would this even be a reality? In regards to Chelsea, why would a team who are comfortably perched on the top of the table be interested in the strike force of the team sat in 9^th place? There is no part of me which doesn’t rate Valencia and Sakho as top rate players, but after watching Liverpool buy up most of Southampton only to find Southampton soar past them in the table, one wonders if such a move is advisable.

Also, West Ham are in need of some level of stability after a slightly topsy turvy season. Sakho and Valencia are extremely strong additions to our team, but they both also have a lot of room for improvement. Selling them at the first hint of a profit doesn’t allow us to let them grow and develop as players – what a shame that would be, as Sakho in particular has the potential to be a true West Ham hero.

The two seem happy at West Ham and are enjoying regular football. They’ve had their share of off games (and Valencia better never pick up a midnight cup of tea again), but there is so much more for them to achieve in claret and blue. Plus, for all the money we could bring in for selling them, they are the type of quality we wish to attract to Upton Park – and I’d struggle to see the money better spent elsewhere when Sakho was such a tremendous buy for the club.

Both players are still under contract, and it is my hope that both players are able to see out their full contracts at the club that gave them their start in English football—but I’m painfully aware that there may be an amount of money that’s just too good to turn down.

If strong offers came in for Sakho and Valencia – would you consider selling them? Should we keep them at all costs, or is there a number you’d consider letting them go for? Do let us know below.