West Ham face £120k‑a‑week Areola exit as relegation looms

West Ham United are set to grant free exit to 33‑year‑old West Ham star Alphonse Areola next summer, with his contract running until June 2027 and a one‑year option. The club, still reeling from relegation, faces a £120,000‑a‑week wage burden that could be eased by his departure.

Contract and option

Areola arrived permanently from Paris Saint-Germain in 2022 after an initial loan spell. West Ham confirmed a five‑year deal with an additional one‑year option, meaning his contract runs until June 2027. Transfermarkt corroborates both the expiry date and the option. Claret & Hugh the 33‑year‑old appears increasingly likely to depart once his deal ends, citing his squad position and the financial burden.

The Frenchman featured prominently in West Ham’s European triumph, starting the 2023 Europa Conference League final win over Fiorentina. He logged fifteen appearances in that competition throughout the campaign, contributing to the club’s first continental trophy.

This season his involvement has collapsed; he has been an unused substitute in West Ham’s early Championship and EFL Cup fixtures and has not recorded a single minute on the pitch.

Financial and tactical implications

Capology estimates his wage at £120,000 per week, although the club has not disclosed it officially. Even a relegation‑related cut to £60,000 would still cost West Ham roughly £240,000 every four weeks for a goalkeeper who has played no competitive minutes this season.

Relegation ended West Ham’s fourteen‑year stay in the Premier League, tightening the club’s budget. The £120,000‑a‑week outlay could be redirected to areas such as squad reinforcement or wage reduction elsewhere.

Mads Hermansen now commands the starting goalkeeper spot, leaving Areola on the bench. While his shot‑stopping remains solid, reports cite weaknesses with crosses and distribution, and rumours of friction with manager Nuno remain unverified.

With his contract due to expire in June 2027 and an optional extra year, West Ham must decide whether to retain an expensive reserve or allow a free exit that could free up significant weekly wages. Many observers argue that letting him go is the right decision for the club.