West Ham and Leicester inserted relegation clauses in January signings contracts that will see new players wages reduced if they fail to stay in the Premier League this season
- West Ham and Leicester have sought to protect themselves if they are relegated
- Both clubs inserted relegation wage reduction clauses into recent contracts
- The duo are above the Premier League’s relegation zone on goal difference only
West Ham and Leicester have protected themselves against the prospect of financial turmoil by inserting relegation wage reduction clauses into the contracts of the their most recent signings.
The Hammers and Foxes are currently only out of the drop zone on goal difference and are facing the very real possibility of losing their Premier League status this season.
Both clubs have been competing at the top end of the top-flight over the past two seasons. West Ham and Leicester finished seventh and eighth, respectively, last season.
Brendan Rodgers’ side finished in fifth, one place above West Ham in 2021. Leicester finished fifth again in 2020.
Both clubs have sought to strengthen their squads in hope of building on their successes over the past two years.
Brendan Rodgers has seen his Leicester side slide down the Premier League table recently after a string of poor results
David Moyes has overseen a torrid run of games for West Ham that leaves them above the relegation zone on goal difference
Danny Ings (left) and Harry Souttar (right) were both signed by their respective clubs in January and could be affected by the wage cuts
And despite the threat of relegation appearing to have diminished given their recent history, both teams have included wage reduction clauses in their most recent transfer deals.
In 2020, West Ham players faced up to wage cuts of 50 percent in the event of relegation. Sportsmail understands that percentage has reduced in recent years to between 20-30 percent.
Similarly, Leicester’s players contracts have previously included pay cuts of up to 40 percent.
But in spite of their recent emergence as one of England’s best performing clubs under Rodgers, the Foxes have continued to include wage reduction provisions in playing contracts.
Eight players are…