Three players who could leave West Ham this summer as relegation battle heats up

West Ham United are locked in a Premier League relegation dogfight, and anything but survival could spark a summer exodus.

The Hammers currently sit 18th in the Premier League table, level on points with 17th-placed Nottingham Forest and just one point behind Tottenham Hotspur in 16th.

While their form has improved since the start of 2026, Nuno Espirito Santo’s side must maintain that trajectory in the final few games of the season.

Anything other than that could see them relegated to the Championship for the first time in 15 years, going back to 2010/11 when they finished bottom of the log.

If that happens, West Ham may have to cash in on a host of key players to keep their head above water.

There are a few high-value players on their roster, so read on as we highlight which stars West Ham may be forced to cash in on this summer.

Mateus Fernandes

West Ham broke the bank to sign Mateus Fernandes from Southampton last summer, and the Portuguese midfielder has only needed one season to establish himself as a high-value player.

The 21-year-old has been a lynchpin in the West Ham midfield since the Hammers paid over £40 million to snap him up, making him one of the club’s record arrivals.

Fernandes has only missed two of West Ham’s 30 Premier League games so far, starting in 27 of his 28 appearances and returning three goals and three assists.

He has also created two big chances and averages one key pass per 90 minutes.

The Portuguese midfielder has also recorded a 63% dribble success rate and won 55% of his total duels in the Premier League.

If West Ham fail to secure their spot in the Premier League, Fernandes could be one of the first big names to leave the club in the summer.

Crysencio Summerville

Crysencio Summerville is another one of West Ham’s hotshots who could be headed for the East London exit if the Hammers are relegated to the Championship.

The Dutchman has struggled with recurring injury problems since joining from Leeds United, but he has given West Ham fans plenty to cheer about whenever he’s on the pitch.

Summer has bagged five goals and three assists in 24 Premier League games so far.

He has also played a crucial role in leading West Ham to their first FA Cup quarter-final in a decade, recording three goal contributions in three appearances.

Interestingly, the Hammers will take on his former employers at the London Stadium with a spot in the semi-finals up for grabs.

After failing to score in his first 16 league games, Summerville sparked into life in the second half of the season, scoring five goals in his last eight matches before suffering another injury setback.

El Hadji Malick Diouf

West Ham raised plenty of eyebrows when they forked out an initial £19m to sign El Hadji Malick Diouf from Slavia Prague last summer.

However, it turned out to be a value-for-money acquisition with Diouf already turning heads in his debut Premier League campaign.

The Senegalese left back hasn’t opened his goalscoring account in West Ham colours, but he has five assists in 24 Premier League games to his name.

Diouf’s crosses have caused opposition defenders plenty of problems, making him a dangerous prospect in the final third. It has also helped him create four big chances in the league.

Interestingly, Diouf’s attacking capabilities don’t overshadow his defensive competence.

The 21-year-old has helped West Ham keep three clean sheets. He also averages 3.5 ball recoveries, 3.9 clearances, 1.3  tackles, and 1.2 interceptions per 90  minutes.

Diouf has also won half of his total contested ground duels, while boasting a 56% success rate in aerial battles. The Senegalese defender has already been linked with a summer move to United.