By Kris Gonzo | Senior West Ham Columnist (Follow on X)
West Ham insider ExWHUEmployee has delivered his latest update and, within it, has emerged interest in a player who will not be unfamiliar to the Hammers.
Twenty-seven-year-old Wales international Sorba Thomas has been named as a possible replacement for Crysencio Summerville.
The Dutch winger remains at the centre of a transfer tug-of-war involving Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United, and West Ham’s recruitment team, led by Nils Koppen, are clearly preparing for life without him.
A Familiar Face Returns To The Conversation
Thomas was the surprise name put forward as a potential replacement, with Ex saying on his Patreon update:
“Former West Ham Academy player Sorba Thomas has emerged as another potential wing option to replace Summerville when he departs the club as expected this summer.
Thomas started his career at West Ham’s academy but dropped out at 16 to join Boreham Wood. The Welsh international has also played for Huddersfield, Blackburn, Nantes in France and now Stoke City.
The player can play on either wing but is predominantly left-sided. Thomas ended the season with ten goals from 47 appearances and provided 12 assists. He was voted their Player of the Season and was also named in the Championship Team of the Season.
He is a player that West Ham could make a move for in the coming weeks once targets have been prioritised.”
The Timeline Is The Interesting Part
It’s the “coming weeks” part which, I have to say, is slightly troubling.
One would hope that if the West Ham recruitment team have already identified a player, be it Thomas or anybody else, they should know by now whether he is someone they genuinely want to pursue.
Additional scouting at this stage is likely to consist mainly of watching players in pre-season friendlies, and I’m not entirely sure how much can really be learned from those.
If Sorba Thomas is the man they want, I’d much rather see West Ham act decisively than spend another few weeks thinking about it.
Not exactly building a squad are they. If they expect to make 4 average late signings a week before the season starts then we are doomed.. this league requires ambitious clubs to hit the ground running. All we hear is news about departures.
Not one player we have been linked with fills me with any kind of enthusiasm.
As we speak we look more like relagation candidates rather than title contenders.
keep the faith, Den. Early days. loads happening behind the scenes, we just all – us included- have to get used to no news / leaks before signings are revealed..
Is their concern based on Thomas’ ability or that they are not certain Summerville is leaving? One third of the transfer window has gone, with no incoming activity so far.
His crossing is on the
Money something taty and ironically fullkrug could really feast upon