The unthinkable has finally happened at the London Stadium. After 13 years in the Premier League, West Ham United have been relegated to the Championship following a disastrous and deeply turbulent 2025/26 campaign.
The Hammers finished 18th in the table after a season defined by instability, poor results and growing tension around the club.
And as always happens when a major club drops into the Championship, attention will now turn towards the players most likely to leave.
Despite the disastrous season, West Ham still possess several high-level Premier League players. The problem is that many of them are unlikely to spend next year playing second-tier football.
Jarrod Bowen
Club captain Jarrod Bowen has spent a scintillating six seasons at the club, racking up 65 goals in the Premier League and helping them to a UEFA Conference League triumph. Across those seasons at the club, Bowen developed into one of the faces of modern West Ham. Even during this difficult season, Bowen remained one of the few players capable of producing moments of quality.
He finished the campaign with 11 goals despite the wider collapse around him.
Earlier this year, he also became the club’s all-time leader for goal involvements in the Premier League.
At 29-years-old and still firmly in the England picture, Bowen is in the most important years of his career. Expecting him to spend an extended period in the Championship feels unrealistic. There is no guarantee the Hammers' return immediately.
And for a player of Bowen’s level, missing out on elite football for multiple seasons would be a major sacrifice.
A departure after six loyal years now appears increasingly possible.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka
Aaron Wan-Bissaka is another player expected to attract serious Premier League interest. Despite West Ham’s defensive collapse this season, the full-back’s individual quality remained obvious.
Reports have already linked him with clubs including Tottenham Hotspur and Everton. From West Ham’s perspective, a sale may become difficult to avoid.
Relegated clubs are often forced to reduce wages aggressively, and Wan-Bissaka is one of the squad’s higher earners. Keeping him in the Championship would make little financial or sporting sense.
Read More: Every Team Relegated and Promoted Across Europe’s Top Five Leagues in 2026
Adama Traore
The big man only just joined West Ham in January in an attempt to save them from going down, but has now failed.
The move was supposed to inject pace, power and unpredictability into the attack. But Traore has played 12 matches after joining and has struggled to make a decisive impact, scoring zero goals.
The Spaniard has often looked isolated inside a dysfunctional team structure.
Given the circumstances, it would not be surprising if both player and club looked for a quick separation this summer. A Championship campaign does not appear to fit the type of short-term move West Ham originally had in mind when signing him.
Jean Claire Todibo
One of the biggest problems surrounding West Ham this season appears to have been the toxic atmosphere inside the squad itself.
Jean-Clair Todibo became one of the most discussed names in that context. According to reports, the defender informed manager Nuno Espírito Santo that he no longer wished to play under him.
Once a player completely refuses to fight for the badge during the club's darkest hour, there is absolutely no coming back. The board will actively look to offload the center-back as quickly as possible to reduce the toxic energy before they embark on their crucial Championship rebuild.
Edson Alvarez
West Ham’s relegation also creates major financial pressure.
Premier League income disappears immediately after dropping into the Championship, forcing clubs to rethink wages, transfer plans and squad structure.
Edson Alvarez could become one of the casualties of that reality. The Mexican midfielder is currently on loan at Fenerbahçe and played no role in West Ham’s relegation battle. Once he returns, the club must decide whether keeping his wages is financially realistic. At 28 years old, Alvarez still has value across Europe. A permanent move to Fenerbahçe or another top-flight side could suit all parties.
Mateus Fernandes
Amid the disaster of West Ham’s season, Mateus Fernandes emerged as one of the few genuine positives. The Portuguese midfielder’s individual rise stood out even as the team collectively collapsed.
But talented young players rarely remain in the Championship for long.
Reports already suggest that Manchester United view Fernandes as a major target and see him as a midfielder capable of orchestrating their midfield.
The Irons may now face enormous pressure to cash in. A fee in the region of £65 million has already been discussed in reports.
West Ham now face one of the most important summers in the club’s modern history. With a new manager incoming most likely, the goal must be to make this a one-season stint in the division.
Some players will leave because they are too good for the Championship. Others will leave because the club can no longer afford to keep them. West Ham now face the challenge of navigating the brutal reality of the Championship and trying to come back as soon as possible.
