West Ham Faces Tough Call: Maxwel Cornet's High Wages Push for Early Exit

West Ham United, reeling from their recent relegation to the Championship, faces a pressing challenge: offloading high-earning winger Maxwel Cornet this summer. With a year left on his hefty £64,000-per-week contract, the Ivorian international is a prime candidate for an early exit as the club scrambles to restructure its finances and squad. Cornet's tenure at West Ham has been underwhelming since his £17.5 million arrival in 2022, marked by limited appearances and a single goal. He spent the last two seasons (2024/25 and 2025/26) out on loan with Southampton and then Genoa, where his performances didn't impress enough for a permanent transfer. This situation highlights the club's past recruitment issues, a problem newly appointed Director of Player Recruitment Nils Koppen and manager Nuno Espírito Santo are tasked with fixing amidst a broader squad overhaul for the upcoming Championship season. The Hammers are expected to pursue a permanent sale for Cornet, but given his recent form, a 'mutual contract termination' is increasingly likely if a suitable buyer isn't found. This tough decision aims to free up significant wage budget for new signings essential for a strong promotion push back to the Premier League. The ongoing summer transfer window will be critical for West Ham as they look to shed 'deadwood' and build a competitive team for life in England's second tier.