West Ham United left back Aaron Cresswell could be sold this summer, according to Football London.
The outlet claims that the England international, on a reported £50,000-per-week [Source: Spotrac], could be one of the Englishmen let go by manager Manuel Pellegrini.
His place in the squad would then need to be taken by an academy product to help make up the team’s homegrown quota, with Cresswell perhaps being sacrificed to reduce the wage bill.
The former Ipswich Town man has made 22 appearances this season, but lost his starting spot to Arthur Masuaku down the stretch.
OPINION
This very much does seem to be a case of Cresswell potentially being let go to help the club’s wage bill out. It’s no secret that the Hammers would like to move on some big earners this summer, particularly if they are not contributing on a regular basis. Cresswell had appeared to enjoy a bit of a renaissance in the middle of the campaign, but then ended up losing his spot to Masuaku over the final month or so. The DR Congo international looked particularly impressive and it kind of put Cresswell in the shade and certainly threw his future into doubt. To be honest, there likely wouldn’t be too many West Ham fans upset were the 29-year-old to depart, because he is no longer first choice. If Masuaku can keep up his form and if the club can get in another top class left back this summer then that seems like a pretty good deal for the Hammers.
