The West Ham contract talks that must be prioritised now to avoid 2027 headache

West Ham United could be faced with a tough decision on a few of this season's squad members at the end of the campaign.

Losing players on a free transfer is never ideal, and it is a situation that will want to be avoided.

West Ham have a few players with contracts ending in 2027, but those with 2028 expiries will be in the thinking just as much.

If any of those with a contract until 2028 do not sign a new deal before next summer window, questions will be raised.

Can the Hammers risk keeping these players around and miss out on a transfer fee?

Well, that headache can be avoided if the E20 outfit prioritise talks for the following players.

Which first-team players need new West Ham contracts?

Konstantinos Mavropanos' five-year deal signed in 2023 will come to an end in 2028.

The Greek defender had been linked with a move out of E20, but the Hammers managed to keep him around this season.

The Hammer of the Year for 2026 is a vital member of the squad, and should promotion come this campaign, they will need him back in the Premier League.

But, with that deal expiring in 2028, and the centre-back at 28 years old, the Irons will have a decision to make.

Selling Mavropanos next summer, when he is still at a prime age, would be a risk-averse approach that would avoid losing him on a free.

But that headache can be avoided by looking to tie him down to new terms and keep continuity at London Stadium.

Elsewhere in the squad, youth star Josh Ajala's deal also ends in 2028

After he struck twice against Southampton in the Carabao Cup, eyes will undoubtedly be on him from interested parties.

Losing a talent such as the 19-year-old is far from ideal, but if there are no signs of a contract breakthrough before the summer, he could bring in a healthy fee.

The two West Ham players that are not an immediate worry

Although Ollie Scarles' current deal also expires in June 2028, the Hammers hold the option to extend that to 2029.

So, any initial worry will evaporate in that regard, as the Irons should and must activate that option.

Ezra Mayers is another player that supporters may have concerns about heading into next summer's window.

The highly-rated defender is in the same spot as Scarles with a deal ending in 2028.

But like his fellow defender, Mayers also has an option to extend to 2029, which West Ham can take up.

So, the Hammers do not really have many contractual issues to sort before next summer, with just Mavropanos and Ajala being the key ones.