West Ham ‘in advanced talks’ over games in United States, depends on one thing
West Ham United could be set to play a number of pre-season games in the US if they can secure a key achievement this season.
The Irons are always looking to expand their commercial opportunities off the pitch, but on it, Graham Potter‘s side are flagging, and sit just 10 points above the Premier League drop zone with 13 games left.
A 1-0 loss to Brentford on Saturday made it four defeats from six in all competitions since Potter replaced Julen Lopetegui in the London Stadium dugout, leaving the Hammers sat 16th in the table.
That 10-point buffer should see West Ham over the line and alleviate the threat of relegation with the run-in fast approaching, but any more slips could see them miss out on a huge pre-season opportunity.
West Ham in talks over Premier League USA series
The Hammers are one of four clubs in “advanced talks” to take part in the Premier League‘s Summer Series, which is slated to take place in the US this coming July, according to The Athletic [18 February].
Adam Crafton and Dan Sheldon reported via X, via anonymous sources, that while the lineup for the pre-season tournament has not yet been finalised, the Irons are set to be joined by Manchester United, Bournemouth and Everton.
West Ham‘s involvement in the four-team event, however, will not be rubber-stamped until their Premier League status is confirmed, as at present, they’re lower than all three other sides in the table.
West Ham given additional Premier League safety boost
Being the lowest-placed of the four reported Premier League teams set to partake in this year’s Summer Series across the pond, there will be serious concern in East London that the Irons could be overlooked.
Leapfrogged in the table by both Manchester United and Everton in recent weeks – the latter being on a hot-streak under former Hammers boss David Moyes – West Ham appear to be in serious trouble.
Their 10-point gap to the bottom four, none of which are pulling up any trees, will provide a semblance of safety for the London Stadium hierarchy, but things aren’t getting any easier for Potter and West Ham.
Visits to Arsenal, Everton and Liverpool are all on the cards in the coming weeks for the Irons, as well as hosting Newcastle and Bournemouth; a tricky run of fixtures which could see them slip even further.
The prospect of a revenue-generating trip to the US will certainly be attractive to decision-makers in East London, but the task at hand for the here and now is to reverse their woeful run of form.