David Sullivan has insisted that West Ham United will be net-spenders in the transfer market this summer.
The club's joint-chairman was speaking about the forthcoming summer transfer window in which West Ham are expected to be one of the busier clubs, given remarks made by Sullivan at the weekend in which he hinted that a great number of current squad players will be put up for sale.However in the week in which it was announced that season ticket prices were being frozen, he insisted that any outgoings will be superseded by the number of new arrivals. “There are still many things to be decided, such as whether Matthew Upson wants to sign a new contract," he told the Evening Standard. "But there must not be a repeat of last season when the club sold an important defender right at the start of the season.
“Let's not kid ourselves, we haven't done well enough this season and I don't think anyone would disagree with that. What I would say, though, is there has been no lack of effort on that pitch. Now we need to sit down and formulate a plan to make things better next season.
“There will be changes. We will be net spenders on players this summer despite our debt. In our position, though, it is inevitable players will go. No-one in this squad is untouchable, except for perhaps Scott Parker. We have to temper ambition with reality. Our aims next season are to improve our league position, have a decent cup run and keep the club solvent.”
Whether current managerial incumbent Gianfranco Zola remains at the helm come the start of next season is open to speculation - but Sullivan, who insisted that the manager will be involved with the key decisions regarding new arrivals for as long as he is employed by the club. "Part of that consultation process will involve Zola," Sullivan added. "We have always sat down with our managers and asked them what they want to do, how they will take things on in the future."
However in an earlier interview with the Telegraph, Sullivan - like fellow joint chairman David Gold earlier this week - intimated that Zola may be set to depart the club of his own volition. "He did indicate he might resign at the end of the season," said Sullivan, "but he might well have changed his mind. In interviews he has not committed his future to the club beyond the end of this season."
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