Credit: Manh Tung/Breaking Media

Keith Wyness

Sat 21 March 2026 7:10, UK

West Ham United‘s potential new owners would look to keep three crucial players at the club this summer – but it may not be that simple.

That is according to former Everton, Aston Villa and Aberdeen chief executive Keith Wyness, who believes the Irons will likely be unable to keep their squad together even if they stay up.

Despite a resurgence under Nuno Espirito Santo, the club are in 18th place in the Premier League and narrowly adrift of safety due to Nottingham Forest’s superior goal difference.

The 1-1 draw with Manchester City last time out proved they are firmly in the survival mix, but West Ham’s summer transfer plans are in disarray with their top-flight status uncertain.

West Ham have three irreplaceable players

The precarious situation has also left the futures of Jarrod Bowen, Crysencio Summerville and Matheus Fernandes in the balance, with plenty of interest expected in the trio.

However, Wyness, who now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs, believes any new owners at the London Stadium would fight tooth and nail to keep all three players.

He exclusively told West Ham Zone: “If a new ownership group were to come into West Ham, then they’re going to try their best to keep Fernandes, Summerville and Bowen together if they stay up.

“But, a lot of buts and ifs, a lot of things about the timing, because we’re already getting late in the season for a new owner to come in in time for the transfer window.

“So, there are a lot of issues around West Ham right now. Even if they stayed up, will they have the ammunition and the power to put a strong squad together for next year?

“It’s a difficult one. West Ham is certainly a club that I’m watching very, very closely at the moment.”

Worryingly, Fernandes is increasingly likely to quit West Ham despite arriving from Southampton in a £42million deal only last summer, with Manchester United circling.

As shown by the Sofascore graphic above, Summerville has been outstanding this season, too, and he may well have no shortage of potential suitors over the coming months.

Is a West Ham takeover close?

Despite speculation over a full takeover in recent years, it still does not appear close.

Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky has been identified as a ‘likely buyer’ by Paul Quinn, a football finance expert, and he remains West Ham’s second-biggest stakeholder.

Despite holding a 27 per cent share and boasting a staggering net worth of around £13billion, Kretinsky appears reluctant to assume total ownership.

The Gold family’s 25 per cent stake remains on the market, but has been up for sale since October 2023, and supporters are increasingly frustrated at the lack of movement.