West Ham United are reportedly exploring a drastic measure to finally clear out their fringe squad. According to prominent club insider ExWhuEmployee, the hierarchy at the London Stadium are actively looking into terminating the contract of winger Maxwel Cornet, a move that could instantly save the club nearly £3 million in player wages.
While the Hammers successfully orchestrated a major summer clear-out under Nuno Espirito Santo—shipping out several high-profile names either on permanent deals or temporary loans—one lingering roster headache has remained stubbornly unresolved. Cornet, whose arrival at the club actually predates the tenure of former sporting director Tim Steidten, has been completely frozen out of the first-team picture.
West Ham splashed out an eye-watering £17 million to lure the Ivory Coast international away from Burnley back in the summer of 2022. However, after failing to cement a regular spot in the side and enduring an injury-disrupted loan spell with Italian club Genoa last season, Cornet’s time in East London has effectively reached a dead end.
Despite participating in pre-season preparations under Nuno, the winger’s isolation was starkly underlined on Tuesday night when West Ham edged out Bolton Wanderers 3-2. Cornet was omitted from the matchday squad for the eighth consecutive fixture, making it abundantly clear that he has no future under the current tactical regime.
A Mutual Exit Strategy on the Horizon
With a transfer window exit failing to materialize before the deadline, club insiders indicate that a mutual contract termination is now on the table as the most viable path forward.
“We understand the club are now exploring a potential deal that will see Cornet’s deal ended,” ExWhuEmployee reported. “Which is something I think many feel would be best for all parties. It’s still very much in the early stages, but there is a potential mutual agreement to terminate his contract ahead of its expiry next year.”
Such a move would provide immediate relief for both the player and the club. Cornet is currently tied down to a lucrative agreement running until the summer of 2027, commanding a reported salary of £65,000 per week.
Crunching the numbers reveals just how massive this financial maneuver could be for the Hammers’ ledger. With roughly 42 weeks remaining between now and July 1, 2027, cutting ties with the 29-year-old immediately would spare West Ham just shy of £3 million in gross wages. For a club currently navigating the financial adjustments of life in the EFL Championship following their relegation, trimming a high earner from the payroll provides crucial flexibility.
Cleaning House for the Promotion Push
Nuno Espirito Santo’s side has knuckled down on the pitch, stringing together impressive momentum—including three consecutive wins to collect 11 points from their opening six matches. As the squad pushes relentlessly to secure an immediate return to the Premier League, streamlining the dressing room and removing unused, high-cost assets is a top priority.
For Maxwel Cornet, a clean break offers the rare opportunity to secure a fresh start elsewhere on a free transfer, allowing him to reignite a career that has stalled badly since his days at Turf Moor.
While discussions remain in their formative stages, the writing is clearly on the wall. Expect developments in the coming days as West Ham look to turn the page on one of their more costly recent investments and free up valuable resources for the challenges ahead.
