West Ham urged to beat Burnley and Hull City to Sunderland transfer - 'I'll take anything' | OneFootball

Football League World's West Ham United fan pundit, Ryan Horn, shares their thoughts on the club's links with Sunderland winger Jocelin Ta Bi

West Ham United have not enjoyed the start of the season as they had hoped, but with one week remaining until the window slams shut, there crucially remains time for Nuno Espírito Santo and Nils Koppen to work together to secure some key additions.

Indeed, West Ham defeated Portsmouth at the London Stadium in the League Cup to clinch themselves a second-round clash at Southampton on Tuesday night, but have picked up just one point from their opening two league games.

The Hammers bottled a two-goal lead away to Burnley to draw 2-2, and were defeated at home to Charlton Athletic last weekend, with Taty Castellanos missing a late penalty to rescue another draw.

It took the Hammers a while to spring into life this summer window, but having completed five additions so far, more are expected over the line sooner rather than later.

West Ham United are interested in Sunderland winger Jocelin Ta Bi but face Hull City and Burnley threat

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According to Sebastien Denis via X, West Ham are interested in a loan move for Sunderland winger Jocelin Ta Bi this summer, but face competition from both Burnley and Hull City, as well as French trio Nice, Le Havre, and Lorient.

Ta Bi, 21, joined Sunderland last January for around £3.5 million from Israeli side Hapoel Petah Tikva, having scored seven and assisted five in 40 games for the club across all competitions during his time in the Middle East.

The Ivorian, upon his move to Wearside, was expected to provide competition for the likes of Chemsdine Talbi, Enzo Le Fee, Nilson Angulo, Romaine Mundle, and Chris Rigg on the wing, and replace the output of the outgoing Simon Adingra, who joined Monaco on loan.

However, Ta Bi could only manage two appearances for Regis Le Bris' side in the second half of last season, one in the Premier League and one in the FA Cup, and it remains to be seen what the Black Cats' plans for the young winger are at this stage.

The Hammers have also been linked with a move for Adingra this window, but have seemingly turned their attentions to his compatriot and teammate Ta Bi, and will be hoping to fend off strong competition for his signature should he indeed become available in the near future.

West Ham United fan pundit urges Hammers to complete Jocelin Ta Bi deal

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Football League World's West Ham fan pundit, Ryan Horn, has shared their thoughts on the club's links to Ta Bi, and whether the Ivorian's lack of experience outside the Israeli top flight puts them off.

Ryan said: "Honestly, if you said to me earlier in the window, would his lack of experience outside the Israeli top flight put me off? I would have gone 'yeah'. But, after the last two games, I'll take anything, any sort of pace.

"Other than Solomon, we're lacking so much pace on the counter-attacker. I will take anything. If they want to play for West Ham, want to put in good performances, and just run their heart out, then I'll take it every day of the week, because we've got players at the club that don't want to be here and they need to go.

"I'd rather have a player that has little experience than a player that doesn't want to be here and has loads."

Nuno Espirito Santo is on the lookout for further attacking reinforcements at West Ham United before the end of the window and should strike a deal for Jocelin Ta Bi

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With just a week to go until the summer window slams shut for another year, West Ham still have a lot of work to do.

The Hammers had four academy players on the bench for their game against Charlton at the weekend, and you'd do well to make a valid argument that they haven't become significantly weaker since relegation.

The additions of the likes of Arne Engels, Manor Solomon, and Joel Piroe will certainly help their promotion charge, as replacing each of Mateus Fernandes, Crysencio Summerville, and Callum Wilson was always going to be a difficult task.

Ta Bi would be a low-risk, low-cost option on loan from Sunderland that could have incredible upside, as Nuno should be doing everything in his power to ensure West Ham are at the front of the queue for his signature this summer if he does indeed become available.