George Overhill

Sat 10 June 2023 9:10, UK

West Ham could sell “at least one” of Maxwel Cornet, Said Benrahma and Pablo Fornals this summer if they sign Harvey Barnes from Leicester, Jacob Steinberg reports.

The Hammers are “in pole position to bolster their attack by signing” the Foxes ace after he was relegated from the Premier League, with talks already opened, but are currently £10million short of the £40million valuation of the 25-year-old at the King Power according to the Guardian journalist.

David Moyes is targeting central midfielders to fill the huge hole that is set to be left by the sale of Declan Rice, but he is also after attacking options, which could reportedly spell the end of the line at the London Stadium for the current crop.

Jarrod Bowen appears to be safe, but his fellow Europa Conference League-winning hero Behrahma, who netted the penalty on the night, is a candidate to go if Barnes comes in.

Fan-favourite Fornals and last summer’s £17.5million signing from Burnley, Cornet, are also at risk of leaving as the Irons look to overhaul a squad that badly underperformed in the Premier League.

Ruthless

West Ham may be basking in the glory of a first major trophy this century but it can’t be allowed to cloud the fact that a squad that was supposed to do big things domestically was at risk of relegation until deep into the campaign.

Moyes came close to losing his job along the way, and though the board’s decision to not make a move has been rewarded with the Conference League crown the Scot and the players are going to have to improve massively in the top flight next year.

So there is no time for sentimentality by the looks of things, as Benrahma’s name may forever be attached to the trophy win but it could also end up being his last outing in a Hammers shirt.

At times this year the 27-year-old has been the best West Ham attacker, but Moyes has frequently switched him in and out of the line-up in their time together.

Fornals has often been a key contributor over his four seasons at the club but became a substitute option for the manager more often than not as this season wore on.

And Cornet’s debut Hammers campaign was largely ruined by injury, meaning he only completed a full 90 minutes twice in the entire campaign, way back last August in the qualifiers against Viborg on the first step of the way to Wednesday’s (7 June) win.

Far more would surely be expected to come from the Ivorian if he remains in East London, but with Barnes coming off a 13-goal Premier League season and highly sought after the Englishman would be an almost-certain starter if he arrives.

Rice leaving will bring in big money, but surely a large amount will need to be spent on replacing him, so if Moyes doesn’t see key roles for any of his attacking options they appear to be at risk of moving on as upgrades are chased.