West Ham are prepared to suffer a financial loss on striker Lucas Perez with the Hammers wanting to move the Spaniard on this summer, according to Football London.
The reliable outlet report that Manuel Pellegrini’s side could sell Perez, who they signed only last summer for £4million from Arsenal, for around £2million with the Hammers wanting to get the Spaniard, who earns £80,000-a-week [Spotrac.com] at the London Stadium, off their wage bill.
West Ham are believed to be wanting to recoup as much of the fee they paid for Perez last year as possible, but are aware of the prospect of having to settle for around half of what they paid for the 30-year-old.
Perez has been used sparingly by Pellegrini this season, making just 19 appearances and registering just three goals, although most of his limited chances have come from the bench.
OPINION
West Ham are right to be prepared to take a financial hit on Perez, after the forward has been placed down the pecking order at the London Stadium by Pellegrini. The likes of Javier Hernandez and Marko Arnautovic have both been preferred to the Spanish striker, meaning he has had little opportunity to prove his worth to the Hammers. However, with Perez on £80,000-a-week the Hammers will need to be getting him off their wage bill this summer, so that Pellegrini can use those wages to bring in a player who the Chilean can afford regular game time to. Perez’s time in England with both Arsenal and West Ham have been fairly miserable for the 30-year-old who will probably now be looking for a move to a different league this summer. West Ham will be needing to move swiftly to bring in a replacement, with fellow striker Andy Carroll also leaving the London Stadium this summer leaving the Hammers light of forward options. Pellegrini will be hoping that his next forward signing can have more of an impact at West Ham, as he looks to build on top ten finish in his first year in charge next season.