If, as is suggested, Roma’s bid for Crysencio Summerville is within a gnat’s whisker of being accepted, then it may prove to be the key to unlocking West Ham’s tardy summer transfer business.
Last month’s £85 m Fernandes sale to Tottenham would have stabilised the club’s finances at a time when the Hammers were rocking with the uncertainty over David Sullivan’s departure.
Whilst the hoped – for £50 million yield from Summerville’s move does look out of reach, a sizeable chunk of cash will cascade into the club coffers and surely, finally allow West Ham’s head of recruitment to get on with the priority signings the club have seemingly been treading water and unable to make.
The breaking news this afternoon suggesting a Saudi bid may yet bring more money into West Ham’s coffers: More follows on that shortly.
A winger replacement for Summerville is perhaps the biggest priority: Wide options on the left are virtually non existent once Summerville’s departure is factored in. Seeing Keiber Lamadrid start as a right-sided midfield option alongside George Earthy, rather than as a winger, perhaps shows Nuno’s plans for the Venezuelan and raises further the acute need for an out-and out winger.
Thomas – 10 goals and 11 assists makes him a safe Championship bet
Stoke’s Sorba Thomas would offer West Ham the width and pace they need, his ability to take on and beat players in a one-on-one and his ten goals and eleven assists in the Championship last season make him a standout option for Nils Koppen should the board green light a £15 million purchase. Whilst he’ll not be a patch on Summerville he does at least come with proven ability at this level.
Midfield and defensive options need to follow with three weeks to integrate new players ahead of the Carling Cup season opener. You’d hope that West Ham are in the starting blocks ready to leap once the Summerville deal gets signed off.
I’d like to see them go for Indrakunda of Watford, he has loads of pace and guile and is tanky with a Bowen low centre of gravity.
Need 2 players for each position which means 4 reliable centre backs.
Additionally the subs bench needs to be stronger than last few years.
Players with equivalent experience to those on the pitch.
It’s going to be a long season.
Tardy?
I’m sure negotiations have been taking place for buying players. But we’ve still got 17 of the starting 11 and subs that beat Leeds 3-0. As well as the returning players. I’d rather not make rushed signings when we may already have a player that can fill the gap. The window doesn’t close until 1st Sept.
I agree . We already have a large group of players and have no idea how we will fare in the championship. My view is we should see how we go till Christmas then recruit