West Ham Players Face Wage Reductions Amid Relegation Battle

According to reports from The Athletic, West Ham United players’ wages will be slashed by 50% should they face relegation to the Championship. It is common for football clubs to include such clauses in player contracts; however, this situation is proving problematic for West Ham as they strive to secure top transfer targets during the January window.

The club recently acquired strikers Pablo Felipe and Taty Castellanos but is actively seeking further reinforcements in defense, with players such as Charlie Cresswell from Toulouse and Eric Dier from Monaco being considered.

Jarrod Bowen, the captain and a revered figure at West Ham, reportedly earns around £150,000 per week, making him the club’s highest-paid player. Bowen signed a contract that extends until 2030 and has publicly expressed his dedication to the club. Additionally, he is related to one of West Ham’s most iconic supporters, actor Danny Dyer, through his marriage to Dyer’s daughter, Dani, in 2025.

In a related development, star midfielder Lucas Paqueta, who earns slightly less than Bowen, is rumored to be seeking a move back to Brazil, specifically to Flamengo. Reports indicate that he has requested to be excluded from the squad for Sunday’s FA Cup match against Queens Park Rangers.

Flamengo is reportedly willing to pay £35 million ($47 million) for Paqueta, but West Ham is keen to retain him at least until the end of the season to aid in their relegation battle. Last summer, Paqueta was on the verge of a transfer to Aston Villa, which ultimately fell through, leading him to celebrate by kissing the West Ham badge after scoring in a recent match against Nottingham Forest.

Following the departure of Graham Potter, Nuno assumed the role of West Ham head coach in September but has only achieved two Premier League victories since taking charge. His performance has led to rising calls for his dismissal, particularly after an incident where he was seen conversing with former Nottingham Forest players after a recent loss.

Meanwhile, discontent among West Ham fans is growing, with plans for protests against the board, specifically targeting majority owner David Sullivan and vice-chair Karren Brady, regarding their management of the club.

As the Hammers prepare to face their fierce rivals, Tottenham Hotspur, on Saturday, they hope to secure a surprising result, although they could end the weekend ten points adrift in the relegation zone.