West Ham must 'aim higher' than Middlesbrough transfer | OneFootball

FLW's West Ham fan pundit has given his verdict on the club's interest in Morgan Whittaker

West Ham are targeting promotion back to the Premier League at the first attempt next season, and are wanting to reinforce their options in the wide areas, with both Sorba Thomas and Morgan Whittaker linked with a move to East London.

The Hammers suffered relegation to the Championship in 2025/26, coming 18th in the table under Nuno Espírito Santo.

The Portuguese coach will now want to guide the club back to the top flight straight away, much like Sam Allardyce achieved when the London outfit last competed at this level in 2012.

The 52-year-old previously led Wolves to the second tier title back in 2018, but this will be his first year working in the division since then.

West Ham have yet to make any major additions to the squad this summer, with their focus being on sales so far.

However, it’s been reported by Talksport that the Irons are keen on a deal to sign Middlesbrough forward Morgan Whittaker, who helped the team reach the play-off final in the previous campaign.

West Ham urged to favour Sorba Thomas over Morgan Whittaker

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When asked about a possible deal for Whittaker, FLW’s West Ham fan pundit claimed that he wouldn’t be against the move, but that he’d rather someone like Sorba Thomas, who has also been linked with a switch to the London Stadium.

He believes that Whittaker’s lack of Premier League experience goes against him, and that the Boro forward should be seen as an alternative target if other deals can’t come to fruition.

“I do believe that we can aim higher than him, but I wouldn’t be opposed to it,” Horn told Football League World.

“Again, a lot of experience in the Championship, but I know that our sort of targets, they’re players that can do it in the Championship that can perform and make the jump into the Prem — because obviously our target is to go back up.

“So, obviously we haven’t seen him in the Prem.

“I don’t know.

“I wouldn’t be opposed to it.

“I’d rather take Sorba Thomas over Whittaker, but I would welcome it.

“I think we should aim higher, I think he’s not an A or a B, but more of a C or a D option, if that makes sense.”

Morgan Whittaker’s Middlesbrough performances

Whittaker made the switch to Middlesbrough from Plymouth Argyle in the 2025 January transfer window, and he’s become a key figure at the club since then.

The forward has contributed 14 goals and eight assists from 56 appearances in the Championship.

He was crucial to the club reaching the play-offs last season under Kim Hellberg, but the Teesside outfit ultimately lost in the final to Hull City, missing out on the chance at promotion.

Whittaker has a contract with the Championship side until June 2029, giving Boro plenty of leverage in any upcoming transfer talks.

It also remains to be seen whether Middlesbrough would be willing to sell to a direct rival, with their sights also set on competing for promotion again in 2026/27.

West Ham are set for a busy end to the market, with a number of names being linked with a move to the London Stadium ahead of the new campaign.

Espírito Santo’s side will get the Championship season underway on 16 August with a trip to face Burnley.

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Morgan Whittaker deal will be tough for West Ham

There’s no doubt that Whittaker could be a strong attacking option for West Ham in the Championship given his performances for Middlesbrough.

However, it would be surprising for Boro to agree to a sale to a direct rival for promotion, particularly for someone so important to Hellberg’s side.

It will have to take a significant offer from the Hammers to convince Middlesbrough to cash in, and at that point it does become questionable whether a deal would be worth it.

So perhaps someone like Thomas would be a more sensible option at this time, and an interest in Whittaker may have to be revisited further down the line.