By Kris Gonzo | Senior West Ham Columnist (Follow on X)
West Ham are reportedly interested in Sunderland winger Jocelin Ta Bi as Nuno Espírito Santo looks to inject some much-needed pace into his squad.
The 21-year-old Ivorian only joined Sunderland in January, signing a four-and-a-half-year contract after arriving from Maccabi Netanya.
According to According to OneFootball, the Hammers have now shown an interest in the youngster.
Interestingly, Sunderland themselves described Ta Bi as a “dynamic and explosive wide player” who enjoys attacking defenders when they signed him.
West Ham could use some youthful pace
Personally, I quite like the profile although I have seen little of the player directly.
West Ham have already added plenty of experience with 34-year-old Joel Veltman, 27-year-old Joel Piroe and 27-year-old Manor Solomon joining the likes of Jarrod Bowen, Tomas Souček and Kyle Walker-Peters.
So why not add somebody young, quick and capable of improving?
We certainly need another winger and, with all due respect to Reiss Nelson, I’d rather take a punt on somebody with genuine potential than add another perfectly serviceable journeyman.
Not coming to London stadium? Rumours still persist that Nelson is a target
Sunderland struggles don’t concern me
I’m not particularly concerned that Ta Bi hasn’t established himself at Sunderland either.
He joined a Premier League team enjoying an excellent season and breaking into that side was never going to be easy.
West Ham are playing Championship football and already possess plenty of players proven at this level. We can afford one or two gambles.
And if Ta Bi really does possess the pace and directness Sunderland identified when they bought him, this particular gamble makes quite a bit of sense.
Why are we not looking to bolster the defence,to me this is the most desperate position we need players, so come on get a couple in, before the windows end
What a pathetic transfer window from a side that’s tipped to win the championship,when nuno wanted a lone striker some one must of misinterpreted and said it as a loan striker,this is from a side that’s supported by 50000+ every home game we’ve been had over by every director that’s been linked with this club
Divine Mukasa returning on loan according to many. We’re broke.
It’s quite a thing how many previously lesser known players like this Sunderland have signed. Extraordinary what a good recruitment set up can generate rather than just relying on old man Sullivan to say there’s no money, and “we tried” and a few last minute panics.
There is no reason why Sunderland, new to the Premiership, could get so many good players and we couldn’t. We seriously threw away our premiership status over the last two seasons let’s hope for once the lessons are learnt
One big problem with this Transfer..where’s the money coming from to pay for it!? passing the bucket round outside the Charlton game this weekend i guess.
Worth a try. He’s young and looks very promising in the highlights reels.