West Ham are considering selling five of their most exciting youngsters to free up funds for David Moyes but why not offload Marko Arnautovic instead?
David Moyes looks on during the Premier League match between Hull City and Sunderland.
Declan Rice, whose emergence has been one of the few positives in a miserable season for the Hammers so far, is one of those on the list having been linked with Arsenal.
West Ham defender Declan Rice reacts during the Carabao Cup Fourth Round match against Tottenham Hotspur.
Reece Oxford, who is considered one of brightest young talents in English football and is currently on loan at Borussia Monchengladbach, is another while Bolton Wanderers loan duo Josh Cullen and Reece Burke and Domingos Quina make up the quintet.
Losing Oxford, Quina and Rice in particular would be a blow to the future of the East London club and would show a lack of long-term thinking that is sure to disappoint the fans.
If departures are needed to give Moyes the money he needs to make his own signings, then why not offload underperforming established stars such as Marko Arnautovic?
West Ham United’s Marko Arnautovic (R) controls the ball as Brighton defender Bruno Saltor looks on during the English Premier League football match.
The 28-year-old has been hugely disappointing since his £20m (BBC) summer move from Stoke City and just as with Robert Snodgrass previously, perhaps West Ham should consider moving the expensive winger on just six months after signing him.
Suitors may be limited for an out of form Arnautovic and the club are likely to lose money on the Austria international, but taking his potential fee and wages into account then his departure could see the most exciting starlets remain at the London Stadium.
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