West Ham put new deal for David Moyes and star men ON HOLD until they are clear on when supporters can return to the London Stadium
- West Ham are delaying any formal contract talks with David Moyes and key stars
- The club are waiting until they are clear on when fans can return to stadiums
- They are worried about the backlash if they hand out deals amid the pandemic
- West Ham also hope the return of fans will help them motivate players to stay
West Ham are delaying formal contract talks with manager David Moyes and a clutch of key players until they are clear on when supporters can return to the London Stadium.
The club have decided not to finalise any contract extensions until the start of 2021 so they can first assess the financial losses suffered during the Covid-19 crisis.
Sources also claim there are concerns about a potential public backlash if the club hand out new deals during a pandemic that has had crippling economic effects across the country.
West Ham are delaying any formal contract talks with manager David Moyes and key players
There is hope, however, that the return of fans — albeit in a limited capacity — will help the Hammers move forward with securing the futures of key personnel early next year.
West Ham, like all Premier League clubs, will likely make a loss by opening to just 2,000 fans from Saturday, when they host Manchester United.
But increases to the limits in 2021 should ease financial concerns, allowing West Ham to strike deals with Moyes — and key players such as Michail Antonio, Lukasz Fabianski and Fabian Balbuena, who are out of contact in the summer.
Club captain Mark Noble’s deal also expires at the end of the season, while first-choice defender Angelo Ogbonna is out of contract at the end of next season.
In previous seasons, such discussions over extensions would be well on course.
West Ham are holding off on contract talks with the likes of captain Mark Noble (above)