(Credit: Imago)
(Credit: Imago)

Stefan Borson: West Ham ready to agree deals to avoid ‘disaster’

James Murray

James holds a degree in Sports Journalism and Communications (MA) from the Real Madrid Graduate School. He has experience working for a number of local news outlets as well as the Sunday Mirror and Real Madrid TV. James is from Scunthorpe and has an affinity with Scunthorpe United, but is also a huge West Ham supporter and an expert on all things to do with the Hammers. He started working for Breaking Media in July 2023, initially writing on the Club Sites, where he specialised in West Ham content, before moving to Football Insider – where he is now an expert in football finance, speaking regularly with Stefan Borson and Keith Wyness to generate high-quality content in all things related to finance in the Premier League, Football League, and Scottish Premiership.

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West Ham are looking to turn their fortunes around on the pitch after enduring a challenging start to the campaign. 

Graham Potter was sacked as the West Ham manager on 27 September after his side claimed just one win from their opening six games in all competitions. 

Nuno Espirito Santo has since been appointed as Potter’s replacement, with the Portuguese boss claiming his first victory following the 3-1 win over Newcastle United on Sunday (2 November). 

West Ham could lose more than £60million in revenue if they were to be relegated as they currently sit 18th in the Premier League, three points behind fourth-bottom Burnley. 

West Ham chairman David Sullivan at the London Stadium
West Ham will face a significant revenue hit if they are relegated this season (Credit: Imago)

West Ham could make moves to avoid PSR blow

Former Man City financial adviser Stefan Borson exclusively told Football Insider West Ham will agree deals in the January transfer window to ensure they are not relegated this season. 

The difference between playing Premier League and Championship football is seismic for a club like West Ham, having spent the past 13 years in the top flight. 

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, Borson said: “I'd be surprised if they were up against it on PSR because they're usually quite well run and have been well run over the last few years. 

“They've got limited assets that they could move out if they got themselves into a bind in let's say June. I think they are actually a 31 May year-end club, which means that you would have it flagged up if they had a PSR problem sometime before the end of May because they would move the accounting date to the end of June, which would give them the window of the whole of June to try and sell a player if they needed to. 

“The reality is, if they don't improve between now and the end of the window, they will buy players because they're not going to risk relegation.” 

Nuno Espirito Santo on the touchline at West Ham
Nuno Espirito Santo recorded his first West Ham win against Newcastle United (Credit: Imago)

West Ham fans protested against their owners in recent weeks, but the victory over Newcastle has slightly improved the spirits among the supporters. 

West Ham to agree January signings amid relegation fears

Borson insisted the Hammers will do everything they can to avoid being relegated this season. 

“You can't have 60,000 seats in the Championship, realistically,” said Borson. 

“I mean, that would be a real disaster for them, so they will spend, they will borrow and they will do whatever they need to do I'm sure to acquire players for the run-in in January if they have to because this is definitely not in the business plan. We can be sure about that, right? 

“They would not have had relegation risk particularly high in their business plan, so they will have to make sure that doesn't happen. I mean, that's stating the obvious, but they are a club who will be able to find the funds and I don't believe that they will ultimately allow themselves to get relegated.” 

West Ham could move out of the relegation zone if they can secure a convincing victory over Burnley at the London Stadium on Saturday (8 November). 

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