West Ham United midfielder Guido Rodriguez has been included in the squad for Sunday's FA Cup third-round tie against Queens Park Rangers, just hours after reports emerged that the club is in negotiations to sell him.
Transfer Talks Underway Amid Squad Inclusion
Football Insider reported on Sunday morning that Brazilian Serie A side Gremio are in talks to sign the 31-year-old Argentine. Despite the swirling speculation about his immediate future, Rodriguez was named among the substitutes by manager Nuno Espirito Santo for the clash with Championship side QPR at the London Stadium.
The defensive midfielder, who joined the Hammers from Real Betis in the summer of 2024, has found opportunities severely limited this season. He has been handed a mere 252 minutes of football across all competitions and has not featured in any of the club's last four matches, remaining an unused substitute on each occasion.
Club Seeks Fee as Contract Winds Down
With Rodriguez's contract entering its final six months, West Ham are reportedly keen to secure a fee for the player rather than risk losing him as a free agent at the end of the 2025/26 campaign. The negotiations with Gremio are seen as a "perfect chance" to move the player on and generate funds for reinvestment in the squad.
For Rodriguez, a January move is viewed as a potential necessity to revive his international prospects. He is reportedly still hopeful of forcing his way into the Argentina squad for the upcoming World Cup, but understands that regular playing time is essential to achieve that aim.
Player Reflects on Tough Premier League Adaptation
Rodriguez has previously spoken candidly about the challenges of adapting to English football. At the end of last season, he highlighted the unique intensity and physical demands of the Premier League.
"The truth is that it is different to all the leagues I've played in before," Rodriguez said. "There is an intensity... There's not so much possession, there are more transitions. Even when you're winning, you have to keep attacking and going forward. It's very technical, but also very physical. You run a lot."
He added, "I really appreciate the challenge and intensity of the Premier League. I think this season has made me grow a lot as a player, as a person, and I've learned so many things."
The backdrop to this individual saga is a difficult period for West Ham overall. Nuno Espirito Santo's side is without a win in ten matches, and a defeat to QPR in the FA Cup could intensify pressure on the manager. The cup fixture offers a brief respite from their dismal Premier League form, while QPR arrive buoyed by a 3-0 league win over Sheffield Wednesday.
