Anthony Onifade

Wed 6 December 2023 19:10, UK

West Ham United midfielder Pablo Fornals could now be all set to empty his London Stadium locker within a matter of weeks.

UK news outlet Evening Standard (6 December) shared that the East Londoners are prepared to listen to offers for the Spaniard despite extending his contract for another year.

The Athletic reported on 5 December that the Irons have opted to activate the one-year extension clause in his contract, which was originally set to run out at the end of the 2023/24 Premier League campaign.

However, the new extension does not necessarily mean he will be prolonging his stay in East London beyond January, with Evening Standard reporting that the decision was taken in order for them to recoup a transfer fee when he eventually leaves.

David Moyes is keen to add to his forward options in January, but players may need to be sold to help raise funds and navigate financial fair play restrictions and Fornals is one player they are willing to listen to offers for.

Fornals has been resigned to a bit-part role this season, playing just 167 minutes of league action [Tranfermarkt] after the summer additions of Mohammed Kudus and James Ward-Prowse who have proven integral for Moyes already.

It’s been reported that Fornals has rejected the chance of a new deal at the London Stadium (Sean Whetstone, 14 September), with his contract up next June, meaning all roads are certainly now leading towards an inevitable London Stadium exit.

With La Liga outfit Sevilla interested in his services for the January window, David Sullivan may well feel West Ham United can gain as many funds as possible should he be sold in the winter.

The East Londoners are incredibly smart to activate the extension clause in his contract so they can financially benefit from an expected sale and it certainly appears Fornals could be emptying his London Stadium locker within weeks.

In other West Ham news, Kieron Dyer has shared his verdict on Moyes’ position at the London Stadium