How early is too early for a club to cut their losses? That is the question West Ham United fans may be asking in response to Mads Hermansen’s uncertain future at the Premier League outfit.
The former Leicester City goalkeeper signed a five-year deal with the Hammers back in August.
Less than five months into that five-year contract, Mads Hermansen may already be fighting for his future.
Hammers News have been informed by chief football correspondent Graeme Bailey that West Ham ‘would cash in’ on Hermansen as early as the January transfer window should such an opportunity arise.
Nuno Espirito Santo persists with Alphonse Areola between the sticks. And, while the Frenchman did himself few favours with a late clanger against Burnley on Saturday, a return to the starting XI for his £18 million rival seems unlikely at the present moment.
Hermansen was dreaming of a World Cup spot with Denmark in 2026. His hopes of ousting Celtic veteran Kasper Schmeichel in time for the tournament, though, are dwindling with every Premier League match he spends gathering dust on the bench.
Photo by Nigel French/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty ImagesMads Hermansen situation at West Ham United worries Denmark boss Brian Riemer
Brian Riemer, head coach of the Danish national team, makes no secret of the fact that had hoped to see things go much differently for Hermansen at the London Stadium.
Speaking to Via Play ahead of the visit of Belarus on Saturday, Riemer backed the ‘fantastically talented’ Hermansen to bounce back from a miserable start to life with West Ham. Right now though, there is no end in sight for the 25-year-old’s frustrations.
“It does [worry me]. Of course, when you are somewhere where you don’t play at all, it’s not good,” says Riemer, whose side have already qualified for the 2026 World Cup.
“I don’t think I need to stand here and say that it is [a good situation], because that’s logic. But Mads is a fantastically talented goalkeeper, and what reassures me is that I’m sure he will find himself at West Ham and solve the situation that has arisen now.
“I know how skilled he is. He shows it every time we are together. That is also one of the reasons why he has been selected again here now [for the November internationals]. I know how hard he trains at West Ham.
“But, not only for Mads but for the squad in general, it is clear that if you are somewhere where you don’t play any minutes, it will become a challenge at some point.”
West Ham are not ruling out a January sale for ex-Leicester City goalkeeper
Nuno hopes that the appointment of Rui Barbosa will help Hermansen find form again behind the scenes at Rush Green. Barbosa worked with the West Ham boss at Wolves, Porto, Tottenham and Nottingham Forest, helping to coax arguably career-best performances out of Rui Patricio, John Ruddy and Matz Sels.
But, while Areola has his faults, the long-serving veteran has helped to fix West Ham’s issues at set-pieces. Hermansen excels when pulling off quick reaction-based saves, with commanding the penalty box a clear area of weakness.
“Hermansen has struggled since coming in and was dropped early on,” says the aforementioned Bailey. And I am told West Ham would cash in on him in January if that is possible.
“It would not shock me if they even loaned him out to get his confidence and form back, which would also help his valuation.”