Guido Rodríguez Wants to Leave West Ham Before Transfer Deadline, But a Move Seems Unlikely
West Ham United midfielder Guido Rodríguez is reportedly pushing for a transfer away from the club before the winter transfer window closes on February 3, 2025. According to InfoRealBetis (via their website on February 1), the 2022 World Cup winner has been “knocking on the doors” of his former club, Real Betis, in hopes of securing a return to La Liga. However, Betis are not considering bringing him back at this moment, leaving Rodríguez’s future uncertain with just over a day left before the transfer deadline.
A Frustrating Spell at West Ham
Rodríguez joined West Ham United in the summer transfer window of August 2024 after running down his contract at Real Betis, arriving on a free transfer. The 29-year-old defensive midfielder was seen as a key addition under David Moyes, who was still managing the club at the time. However, Moyes’ departure and the appointment of Graham Potter in December 2024 have altered Rodríguez’s role in the squad.
Since his arrival in East London, Rodríguez has made 19 appearances in all competitions for West Ham. However, he has struggled to secure a consistent starting spot in Potter’s preferred midfield, where Edson Álvarez and Tomáš Souček have been the first-choice pairing. Rodríguez has primarily been used as a rotational option or late substitute, which has frustrated the player, leading to his desire for an exit.
Complications in Completing a Move
Despite Rodríguez’s clear desire to leave, his transfer situation remains complicated due to the limited time left in the January window. Real Betis, the club he hopes to rejoin, are not currently interested in signing him. This significantly narrows his options, unless another club makes a last-minute move for him before the 11 PM (UK time) deadline on February 3.
Additionally, West Ham may be reluctant to sanction his departure at this stage. While Rodríguez has not been a regular starter, letting him leave without a replacement could leave the squad short-handed in midfield. Currently, the only backup for Álvarez and Souček is youngster Lewis Orford, an 18-year-old academy graduate with limited senior experience.
Given this situation, West Ham might prefer to keep Rodríguez for the remainder of the season and revisit his future in the summer transfer window, when they would have more time to find a replacement.
West Ham’s Upcoming Fixtures
As West Ham navigates the final hours of the transfer window, the club is also preparing for their upcoming Premier League fixture against Chelsea on Monday, February 3, 2025. The match is scheduled to kick off at 12:00 PM (PST) at Stamford Bridge.
This game could be crucial in determining West Ham’s ambitions for the season, as Potter aims to push for a European qualification spot in the second half of the campaign. It remains to be seen if Rodríguez will feature in the match or if his potential departure will disrupt the squad’s preparations.
Conclusion
Rodríguez’s time at West Ham has not gone as planned, and his frustration is understandable given his lack of game time. However, with only a day left before the window closes, a move away seems increasingly unlikely. West Ham will have to decide whether keeping him for depth is the smarter option or if a late deal can be arranged. Either way, Rodríguez’s future at the club remains uncertain, and a summer departure appears more realistic than a last-minute winter exit.