4 players set to leave West Ham in 2027 ft 93-capped international

FLW takes a look at the seven players set to leave West Ham United next summer following the expiry of their current contracts

West Ham United are a Championship club for the first time since 2012, though Portuguese head coach Nuno Espírito Santo will have aspirations of making their stay in the English second tier as short as possible.

West Ham's relegation from the Premier League last season was a huge blow for the Hammers, who had lifted the UEFA Europa Conference League just three years before.

Numerous factors played into their demise from the top flight, and though Nuno could not keep the East London side afloat, he has been chosen as the person tasked with guiding the club back at the first opportunity.

A 3-2 victory over Bolton Wanderers on Wednesday, despite not winning any of their opening three games, sent them to the top of the Championship, as the former Wolverhampton Wanderers head coach will be hoping to stay there until May 2027.

The likes of Mateus Fernandes, Crysencio Summerville, El Hadji Malick Diouf, and Aaron Wan-Bissaka left the club this summer in a huge squad revamp, and ahead of next summer, FLW has taken a look at the current Hammers squad, using data from Transfermarkt, at every player due to leave the club upon the expiry of their current terms.

Tomáš Souček

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Czech international Tomáš Souček joined West Ham in January 2020 on loan from Slavia Prague, having only played professionally in his native country up until that point, and with three goals in 13 appearances, made the permanent move to East London the following summer for around £19.1 million.

The 31-year-old has since become a beloved presence in the middle of the park for the Hammers, making trademark late runs into the box and being a constant menace in aerial situations, standing at six-foot-four-inches tall.

Due to make his 300th appearance for the club this season upon his return from injury, Soucek has yet to feature this campaign after picking up an injury for Czechia at the recent World Cup, and Nuno will be desperately awaiting his return to fitness.

Pledging to stay this summer in the hopes of guiding West Ham back to the Premier League when he could have left, Soucek's current deal is due to expire next summer, and whether that will spell the end of his stay in East London remains to be seen at this stage.

Alphonse Areola

French goalkeeper Alphonse Areola has played for the likes of Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid, Fulham, and Villarreal over the course of his career, in all three major UEFA competitions, with over 100 appearances in the Premier League, and five caps for France, yet finds himself as a second-choice option in the Championship at 33.

Mads Hermansen has retained his place between the sticks at the London Stadium under Nuno following relegation, leaving Areola in the dark.

20-year-old Finlay Herrick has appeared on the bench over Areola in the last four matchday squads, and with his contract due to expire next summer, it's unlikely he stays at the club beyond 2027.

Maxwell Cornet

Ivorian winger Maxwell Cornet first made an impact on English shores with Burnley following his move from Lyon in the summer of 2021, which tempted West Ham into parting ways with £17.5 million to bring him to the capital the following year.

However, one goal and seven assists in 37 appearances across all competitions since, as well as spells on loan with Southampton and Genoa, have followed, as their investment in the winger does not look to have paid off.

The five-year deal that he signed in 2022 is set to expire next summer, and he has not appeared in any matchday squads so far this season; it would take a sensational turnaround to see him extend his stay in East London beyond 2027.

Joel Veltman

Signed this summer as another option in Nuno's back line, capable of playing as a right-back or centre-back, Joel Veltman penned a one-year deal with the Hammers following his release from Brighton and Hove Albion at the end of last season.

Veltman, 34, has 165 Premier League appearances to his name and will provide some much-needed experience and know-how to West Ham's defence.

Depending on how he performs this campaign, his stay in the English capital could well be extended, but as of now, he is set to depart next summer.