Relegation-threatened West Ham are set to sell off some of their most prized assets after manager Glenn Roeder was ordered to slash the wage bill by 33%, according to press reports.
The Hammers are four points from safety at the bottom of the Premiership and even if they avoid the dreaded drop, they will still have to let players go as they attempt to cut back on their annual wage bill of £33 million.
West Ham are the sixth highest paying club in the league and the decision to slash their wage bill will mean that several big name players will leave the club in the summer. Paulo Di Canio is almost certain to go, as is Lee Bowyer, whose £35,000 a week contract expires at the end of the season.
More worrying for Hammers supporters is the prospect of Joe Cole being sold, with Liverpool heavily linked with a move for the player, while other big earners such as Trevor Sinclair, Freddie Kanoute and possibly even David James could also be sold in a bid to reduce costs.
The possibility of relegation would result in an estimated £21million loss in revenue next season and the current financial down-turn in the game has already forced West Ham to postpone their plans to redevelopment Upton Park.
Filed by Rob Wright
