Kieran Maguire: £700m reveal is vital to West Ham keeping 'coveted' stars
Matchday income is vital for West Ham if they are to keep hold of their "coveted" stars.
So says finance guru Kieran Maguire, speaking exclusively to Football Insider about the Premier League's response to pandemic developments.
BBC Sport reported on Monday (20 December) that clubs have voted to continue the season as normal despite Covid-19 disruption.
Declan Rice and Jarrod Bowen are among the current crop of West Ham stars admired by elite clubs, according to widespread reports.
Maguire claims that the top-flight's decision to go full steam ahead with the festive schedule will preserve the Irons' recruitment and retention budget.
"Matches taking place behind closed doors is a far more significant problem than a mini winter break," he told Football Insider's Adam Williams.
"We're talking £700m for a full season's worth of revenue in the Premier League across all clubs.
"If you ignore European matchday income, clubs collectively make £15m per matchday in the league.
"A return to behind closed doors would have implications for clubs going forward in terms of the ability to recruit and retain.
"For a club like West Ham who have a number of players coveted by other clubs, being able to play in that stadium is crucial to keeping their best stars."
West Ham are due to face Southampton on Boxing Day before a run of five games in 25 days.
David Moyes' side are winless in their last four matches across all competitions but remain in 5th place in the Premier League.