WHZ View: Snodgrass sale should start West Ham clear-out
West Ham are set to sell Robert Snodgrass to West Brom, according to Sky Sports, in what could be the start of a productive January for the Hammers.
The 33-year-old only has two Premier League minutes to his name this season as the Scotsman has been deemed surplus to requirements at the London Stadium.
This is a good move from the Hammers as it shifts some deadwood and gets a non-playing player off the wage bill.
This is exactly the type of business the Irons should be completing this January and we hope this trend continues.
West Ham have several players on their books who are earning plenty of money while sat on the bench or not even in the matchday squad.
Ryan Fredericks and Winston Reid are two prime examples.
Both players are still at the club with Reid most recently on loan at Sporting Kansas City in the MLS but he is now back with his parent side.
The centre back hasn’t played for West Ham since 2018 and his contract doesn’t expire until 2023, which means the club have to sell him or terminate his contract.
Termination seems a little extreme as there may be some interest in the player and the Hammers can’t afford to throw away money in the current climate.
Fredericks’ future is also in doubt with the full-back unable to shift Vladimir Coufal from the starting 11 with the summer signing being one of David Moyes’ star men since his summer move.
With youngster Ben Johnson also impressing this season and notching his first Hammers goal a few weeks ago, it seems like there is no room and no use to having Fredericks at the London Stadium.
Fredericks was poor in his few outings at the very start of the season and it looks as if there is no way back for the defender.
Even if the Hammers don’t bring anyone in this January, the sale of these three players would boost the club financially.
It would give the club more room to manoeuvre in the summer transfer window in regards to wages and get players who are not contributing away from the club as it looks to progress.
There is no room for wasters at Moyes’ West Ham and a winter clear out could be an excellent way to start the new year.
Snodgrass’ departure could signal just that, as West Ham look to break away from these almost forgotten players.
In other West Ham news, Spurs could make a move to sign Issa Diop this month.