West Ham Eye Explosive Winger as Nuno Looks to Add Missing Ingredient

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., 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.

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.