Reliable source: West Ham planning to sell long-time Hammer in the summer
West Ham United centre back Winston Reid completed a loan move to Major League Soccer side Sporting Kansas City on Friday night.
The New Zealand international has been at the London Stadium for 10 years now, but hasn’t featured for the first team for about two years.
He’s suffered horrible bad luck with injuries, and it’s been tough to watch because he’s always been such a dedicated servant to the Hammers.
Unfortunately, though, his failure to recapture full fitness – in the eyes of the Irons, at least – meant that a move away was inevitable.
The 31-year-old is still under contract until the summer of 2023 [Source: Spotrac], which leaves the club with a decision to make.
Reliable West Ham source ExWHUemployee has revealed what the plan is for Reid moving forward.
“I think the aim is to hope he will leave permanently to get his wages off us,” he wrote on his personal Twitter account.
“He is coming to the end of his career and on large wages and hasn’t played for two years. In my opinion we need to invest in another solid centre back if he does permanently go.”
Will Reid be sold this summer?
It’s interesting that it seems like the club have made their mind up on him already. It appears that no matter how well he plays in the MLS they will look to sell him.
That’s bizarre considering how poorly the team have defended this season. At his best, Reid is probably the most consistent centre half at the club.
Yes, he’s on large wages, but is it fair to write him off completely? Perhaps the Hammers have seen something in training that tells them that Reid will never be the player he once was.
That’s a worrying thought, but it’s a real possibility. But, yes, a replacement would have to be signed if Reid does get sold.
In other West Ham news, the club’s supporters have been reacting to the ‘disrespect’ of Reid’s departure.