Graham Potter will be keen to change the personnel at West Ham this summer after what’s been a disappointing season for the Hammers.
It is unclear how much West Ham will be able to spend in the upcoming transfer window, with some reports claiming the club will be under financial restriction due to the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR), meaning they could be required to sell before they can buy.
However, The Athletic journalist David Ornstein has said he expects the club to remain active in the summer, noting that the club’s financial position isn’t as bad as it’s often portrayed.
While there is uncertainty about how much the club can splash out on transfers this summer, there might still be some cost-free options which can seriously help bolster the squad.
Players out on loan could be key for Potter
West Ham have currently got four first team players out on loan, and a further 11 from the under-21s.
Some players who have impressed while out on loan this season are Nayef Aguerd, Callum Marshall, and in more recent weeks, Maxwel Cornet.
Aguerd featured regularly for the Hammers in his first couple of seasons after joining in 2022, but for whatever reason wasn’t favoured by Julen Lopetegui before the 2024/25 season, seeing him sent out on loan to Real Sociedad.
Since joining the La Liga outfit, the Moroccan has played 34 games in all competitions and according to SofaScore, has been Sociedad’s best performer this season.
West Ham have looked particularly thin at the back this season, with injuries to Jean-Clair Todibo and inconsistent performances from Konstantinos Mavropanos being a key factor in the Hammers having the fifth worst defence in the league.
With Potter currently favouring a five at the back formation, it’s important he has reliable and solid defenders at his disposal, and Aguerd could certainly be a great option for him at the back next season.
Huddersfield Town are currently in a playoff place in League One, and their top goal scorer has been a player out on loan from West Ham, Callum Marshall.
The 20-year-old had a cameo appearance in the FA Cup last season for the Hammers before being loaned out to the Terriers in the summer, but after a very impressive season for the Northern Ireland international who has 14 goal contributions to his name this campaign, Potter may well consider him as an option for his attacking line next season.
Finally, Cornet is something of a forgotten man at West Ham, with just 21 league appearances and one goal in the three years he’s been at the club.
After an unsuccessful loan at Southampton, many Hammers fans will have thought offloading the Ivorian in the summer would be the best option, however the 28-year-old has reignited his career while on loan at Genoa.
Cornet has three goal contributions in six games at the Italian side since joining on loan in January, and head coach Patrick Vieira has expressed how impressed he’s been with the player’s performances in that time.
The winger is currently out injured, however, which has been a recurring problem for the winger, which may ultimately be a cause of concern for Potter.
The above three options are undoubtedly avenues Potter could explore, which would pose little risk to the club’s financial uncertainty in what will be a crucial summer for the Hammers.
