Sources: Brutal West Ham eight-player clearout begins

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Published on:

19 Apr 2023, 1:30 am

Arthur Masuaku is just the first West Ham star to agree an exit with a summer exodus planned at the club, sources have told Football Insider.

It is believed that at least eight first-team stars will leave the London Stadium in a brutal clear-out after a disappointing 2022-23 campaign.

West Ham confirmed on Monday (17 April) that Masuaku has finalised a permanent move to Besiktas after a successful loan spell with the Turkish giants.

Football Insider updated later that day to reveal that the Irons have secured a fee of around £1.75million for the 29-year-old left-back.

Several stars are out of contract at the end of the season, with Manuel Lanzini and Angelo Ogbonna expected to depart after struggling for game time this term.

Captain Declan Rice is likely to be the headline exit in the off-season, with the Premier League's elite lining up a move for the 24-year-old.

Football Insider revealed last month (31 March) that Arsenal have made Rice their first-choice midfield target - with West Ham expected to hold out for bids of £100million.

Sources also told this site on Tuesday (18 April) that senior stars Vladimir Coufal, Aaron Cresswell, Pablo Fornals and Tomas Soucek could also depart as the Irons plan a "changing of the guard".

West Ham are still locked in the fight against relegation despite spending a reported £170million on new arrivals in the 2022-23 season.

David Moyes' side are 15th in the table but are only four points clear of the Premier League drop zone with eight games to play.

Nevertheless, the Irons are planning their summer transfer business as they bid to refresh their squad.

Football Insider revealed on 12 April that West Ham will line up a summer deal for red-hot Flamengo striker Pedro if they secure Premier League survival.

In other news, long-serving West Ham star set to open new deal talks.

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