West Ham United have run into an impasse with teenager Sonny Perkins over a new contract. This is according to ExWHUemployee, who is known to be a reliable journalist for West Ham in the past. Apparently, the teenager’s wage demands are proving to be a matter of disagreement.
Aston Villa and Leeds United are among the clubs who will be looking to get the talented midfielder on a free this season. West Ham will be gutted to lose such a talented player for nothing. However, they too need to set a precedent and have a sustainable wage structure.
There is no doubting Perkins’ quality. He is an attack-minded player in the centre of the park, who likes to get forward. He has impressive stats at the youth level. 10 goals in 20 Premier League 2 games, and 4 in 4 U18 matches tell you all you need to know about his quality. This was recognized by manager David Moyes, who gave him his first senior appearance. He came on as a substitute in the 78th minute against Rapid Vienna in the Europa League. He also got a start against Croatian giants Dinamo Zagreb in the same competition.
It will not be a wise decision for any team to be in a difficult position for an 18-year-old in a contract position. It may prompt others to demand higher wages too, creating a ripple effect and leading to an unstable environment.
The Element of Compensation
West Ham may perhaps be okay with a move away for Perkins. Since he is below 24 years of age, West Ham may be eligible for compensation too. This is in accordance with the rules surrounding contracts in England:
Where a professional player, under the age of 24, has been offered a new contract by his club (subject to certain requirements that the offer must meet set out in Rule 64.3 of the Football League Rules) and he rejects that offer in order to take up the opportunity to sign for another club, compensation will be payable.
Dan Chapman, UK Employment Law Expert
Are West Ham Making A Mistake?
It will be a blow to the Hammers on losing out on such a gifted player. However, it may be a wise move in the long run to preserve the financial stability of the club.
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