Credit: Imago

Harri Burton

Wed 27 May 2026 10:54, UK

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West Ham United are likely to lose several high-profile stars following the club’s relegation to the Championship.

That is according to former Everton chief executive Keith Wyness, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, who is concerned about the tactics that Nuno Espirito Santo might use to sign players this summer.

Following their relegation from the Premier League, the Hammers could struggle to attract big names, such as Jarrod Bowen and Crysencio Summerville, as the club must make £100million in sales.

West Ham’s transfer chiefs are set to have a huge task on their hands over the coming months to prepare the team for the 2026-27 Championship campaign, but at least the manager’s future has been solved.

Nuno Espirito Santo is likely to lose several big-name talents

Everton’s former chief Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – has discussed the struggles that the Hammers will face.

Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast, Wyness discussed how he navigated the Championship during his time in charge of Aston Villa, expecting the same in East London.

He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “When he [Nuno Espirito Santo] was in the Championship with Wolves, a lot of players came from that one agency.

“And while it worked to a degree, it wasn’t always the answer. I don’t know if that’s the right way for West Ham to go. There needs to be a bit of a clean out in different ways.

“There’s a lot at stake for West Ham right now. They’re facing a big drop in revenue, a big drop in wages, and it could be as many as 10 players that may have to go.

“When I took over Aston Villa when they were relegated, I had seven out in those few weeks before the first season and seven in. And that was a lot of the time.

“Now, if they’re looking at maybe 10 players going, that’s a huge amount of players and negotiations to be done. But who are you going to bring in that’s going to be Championship-ready?”

Which players are likely to leave West Ham this summer?

Bowen’s future is certainly up in the air, with many believing that they have read between the lines of his most recent message to the fans, and that his next move will be away from the London Stadium.

Very few expect Summerville and Taty Castellanos to stick around, and Everton are already eyeing up Aaron Wan-Bissaka for just £10million after the Hammers’ relegation.

El Hadji Malick Diouf has also caught a lot of attention during his first season in England, with multiple Premier League clubs keeping tabs on his situation. He’s unlikely to be the last to earn a move.

Niclas Fullkrug, Edson Alvarez and James Ward-Prowse will all return from their loan spells, but it is expected that the trio will seek permanent moves away due to the Hammers’ league status.