The likes of Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea could benefit from West Ham United and Wolves potentially being relegated from the Premier League. Both clubs are in deep trouble, and they have not been helped by the better-than-expected results of the newly promoted sides. The two sides met on Saturday, with Wolves running out winners 3-0, adding to the Hammers’ woes.
This was the Wolves’ first league win of the season, after spending the first half of the season without a win against any team. However, it will take a miracle to avoid relegation at the end of the season. West Ham, on the other hand, are four points from safety and need to improve quickly if they are to avoid the drop zone. If they go down, some of the Premier League’s biggest clubs could pick up bargains in the summer transfer window.
Express Sport looks at six players who are likely to be acquired in the event of relegation…
west ham
Jarrod Bowen
The obvious one for the Hammers would be Bowen, but he is far too good to play Championship football next season.
As a full-fledged England international, big clubs will be lining up to sign him if this season ends in relegation.
Lucas Paqueta
Although he is a loose cannon at times, the Brazilian playmaker is undoubtedly a good player and boasts many qualities that would be useful to a big club.
A move abroad probably seems more likely than a return to the Premier League, but don’t expect any first-team side to budge if given the chance to sign him.
El Hadji Malick Diouf
The left-back, who is currently playing for Senegal at the Africa Cup of Nations, has been a rare bright spot for the Hammers this season.
Given his potential for development at only 21 years old and the possibility of a cut-price contract, he will undoubtedly be in high demand if he is relegated.
wolf
joan gomez
There is little chance that Wolves will be able to retain Gomez if they are consigned to the Championship. It will take a lot of convincing for the midfielder, who represents Brazil internationally, to spend at least a season in England’s second tier.
At just 24 years old, he could be a decent signing for a big club looking for a midfielder with plenty of potential and resale value.
Andre
Andre is another young midfielder who plays for the Brazilian national team and there will be a lot of interest in him if Wolves are relegated at the end of the season.
Although he has yet to score a goal this season, he has provided a lot for a hopelessly poor team and could earn him a decent transfer in the summer.
mateus mane
Mane was the star of Wolves’ game against West Ham and performances like that are sure to pique the interest of many bigger teams.
He was only formally introduced by Rob Edwards a few weeks ago and has already scored a goal and provided two assists. A lot of the same goes for him and he won’t be at Molineux for long.
