West Ham Are Ready To Sell This Midfielder In January 2026: Why Is It The Right Decision? | OneFootball

West Ham United appear ready to make a difficult decision in January, as reported by Claret and Hugh, with talks suggesting that the club may sell Andy Irving to raise funds. The midfielder, 25 years old and still searching for a foothold in Premier League football, struggled to break into the current setup under Nuno Espírito Santo.

Although Celtic explored taking him during the summer, the Hammers initially resisted. That decision now seems premature, as the player remains outside the main plans and his role looks no clearer.

West Ham United are ready to let Andy Irving leave in January 2026

Recently, West Ham have improved slightly, building a three-match unbeaten run. However, sitting seventeenth in the table leaves them close to the drop zone, and they cannot afford to carry footballers who contribute little on the pitch.

As a result, the club would not only free space by shifting Irving but also reinvest any fee in much-needed new signings. They need to make better decisions to stay up, and this one seems straightforward. Rather than let him remain unused, they intend to use the money to bring in someone who can help right away.

LONDON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 03: Andy Irving of West ham during the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and West Ham United FC at Stamford Bridge on February 03, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

Meanwhile, the Scottish midfielder has reached a point in his career where playing time is more important than staying at a Premier League club. Each match he watches from the bench weakens his development.

Having shown he can compete at a decent level, he needs a club willing to trust him. Some believe a return to Scotland might suit him best, and if Celtic look at him again, they could push for a deal. They require depth in midfield, and he would offer familiarity with their style.

The Scottish midfielder needs game time

From West Ham’s perspective, allowing him to leave now makes sense. Constantly holding onto peripheral players limits squad flexibility and hinders recruitment. January gives them a chance to act quickly, and Irving’s situation highlights how quickly a promising signing can lose relevance when tactical fit proves uncertain.

Selling him would support their attempt to climb the table, while providing the midfielder fresh purpose elsewhere. Honestly, both parties benefit from separation, and hanging on helps no one.