In a revealing look at West Ham United's wage structure, Brazilian midfielder Lucas Paqueta and English forward Jarrod Bowen have emerged as the club's highest earners, with both players commanding annual salaries of £7.8 million each.
The salary breakdown comes amid a challenging period for the Hammers, who have struggled to maintain the heights reached during their historic UEFA Conference League triumph in 2022-23. Despite significant player turnover, including the departures of Declan Rice, Pablo Fornals, and Said Benrahma, the club has made substantial financial commitments to new signings.
Perhaps the most surprising revelation is veteran striker Danny Ings' position as the third-highest paid player at the London Stadium. Ings' salary surpasses that of recent high-profile acquisitions Mohammed Kudus and Edson Alvarez, as well as established players like Tomas Soucek and Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
In the goalkeeping department, Alphonse Areola leads with an annual salary exceeding £6 million, significantly more than his deputy Lukasz Fabianski. At the other end of the scale, Wes Foderingham earns a relatively modest £780,000 per year.
The wage structure raises questions about the club's salary distribution, particularly regarding German striker Niklas Fullkrug, who earns over £4.6 million annually despite scoring just two goals in 10 appearances since his 2024 arrival.
The club's investment heavily favors attacking talent, with the forward line consuming over £30 million in annual wages. This financial commitment, however, has yet to translate into consistent on-field success, as the team continues to face challenges in maintaining their previous form under David Moyes.
