West Ham make big move to beat Ipswich Town to Sunderland AFC transfer | OneFootball

West Ham are amplifying their interest in a shock deal for Sunderland winger Simon Adingra ahead of Ipswich Town, Roma and others

West Ham will be hoping to embolden their promotion credentials by flexing their undoubted financial muscles, which have just become stronger by sanctioning the stunning £85 million transfer of Mateus Fernandes to Tottenham Hotspur.

The most expensive Championship export by some margin after trading East London for North London, Fernandes' exit has presented the Hammers with a sensational cash windfall that could well be reinvested into a number of deals to help Nuno Espirito Santo's side double-down on their aspirations of returning to the Premier League at the very first time of asking following relegation at the end of the previous campaign.

West Ham have been linked to a vast array of potential recruits already, with an action-packed summer awaiting at the London Stadium as various incomings and outgoings beckon on the horizon in the coming weeks.

Fernandes' replacement could soon be sought in highly-rated fellow countryman Gustavo Sa, who is reportedly closing in on a £17 million switch to East London from Portuguese outfit Famalicao, and the Hammers will intend on expanding their business with many more deals to come.

One could just involve Sunderland, with West Ham making serious advances to beat Ipswich Town and a host of esteemed continental sides to this particular transfer in a significant new update.

West Ham make advance over Ipswich Town in Sunderland, Simon Adingra transfer race

It was reported via X on Sunday afternoon by Sebastian Denis of French outlet Foot Mercato that West Ham are among the litany of clubs pursuing a deal for Sunderland's Simon Adingra this summer.

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Adingra is available on the market following a reasonably-successful loan spell in the second-half of the previous season at Monaco, who elected against activating their €17 million (£14.5 million) purchase option but retain an interest in returning the winger for another temporary stint after he registered three goals and two assists from 14 Ligue 1 outings.

West Ham, however, have emerged as surprise suitors for Adingra's sought-after signature, with Denis reporting that the Championship outfit have already undertaken discussions with the 24-year-old over a potential transfer.

It represents an advance from the Hammers over various rivals, and Nuno's side are facing no shortage of competition in their efforts to bring Adingra to the second-tier in a shock development.

That's because Denis' update adds that Roma and RB Leipzig are "concretely positioned" in the race for Adingra alongside freshly-promoted Premier League pair Hull City and Ipswich Town, with the four sides reportedly exploring a permanent deal.

Adingra, who represented Ivory Coast at this summer's World Cup in North America, appears increasingly likely to leave Sunderland just twelve months after moving to Wearside from Brighton and Hove Albion in a reported £21 million deal.

The talented wide-man was among Brighton's hottest stars in the 2023/24 campaign when he scored six Premier League goals but moved to Sunderland following a less-impressive second season in Sussex and has struggled under Regis Le Bris despite the Black Cats' strong showing upon returning to the top-flight.

Adingra would score just once while failing to record an assist from 14 league outings - nine of which were starts - before returning to the continent to sign for Monaco on loan, and the 30-cap Ivory Coast international's future now seemingly lies away from the Stadium of Light.

Sunderland's Simon Adingra would be a huge statement of intent from West Ham

Despite struggling over the last two seasons at Premier League level, Adingra has previously shown his class in English football and boasts impressive pedigree in European football, having starred for Monaco as well as Belgian side Union St.Gilloise - where he posted 27 goal contributions across all competitions before establishing himself with the Seagulls.

Still aged just 24, Adingra now needs to find a permanent home and become the main man somewhere, a role he would perhaps share with long-time talisman Jarrod Bowen in East London if West Ham can pull off what would represent one of the most eye-catching captures in the Championship this summer.

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Adingra would come as a strong statement of intent from the Hammers, who are looking to punch above the weight of their divisional status and broker some seriously exciting deals in the summer months, and there would be nothing preventing the Ivorian from lighting up the second-tier in 26/27.

West Ham are poised to lose Crysencio Summerville, and while replacing the Dutchman's X-Factor quality in the final third will be a tall order amid links to the likes of Manchester United and Chelsea, bringing in Adingra could ensure his absence is not too sorely-felt as the club bid to get back to the promised land in swift fashion.