Coventry City ready to disrupt West Ham transfer plan for £9m-rated Stoke City man | OneFootball

West Ham United aren't the only side to have been linked with a switch for Sorba Thomas this summer

After being the only player to register at least 10 goals and 10 assists in the Championship last season, it's understandable that Stoke City's Sorba Thomas is the subject of interest this summer.

The Welsh wideman excelled in his first season at the bet365 Stadium, following a move from Huddersfield Town. He'd spent a few years out on loan from the West Yorkshire outfit before he left, and the switch to Stoke presented a much-needed fresh start, which he more than took.

Thomas ended the campaign with 21 goal contributions, scoring 10 and setting up 11, meaning he was directly involved in 41% of the league goals that Mark Robins' side scored last year.

Stoke's overall level may have decreased as the 2025/26 campaign went on, as the Potters went from early-season promotion contenders to yet another 17th-placed finish, but Thomas maintained his standard throughout the year.

West Ham United profile Sorba Thomas as one of their first summer signings

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A report from Alan Nixon on Tuesday stated that West Ham United were looking to finally make a splash in the transfer window, following several key sales, by bringing in Thomas from Stoke.

The Hammers are yet to make any real signings this summer, with Keiber Lamadrid, who spent the latter half of last season on loan at the London Stadium, the only permanent incoming so far.

However, with Crysencio Summerville departing last week in a deal worth up to £60 million to Saudi side Al-Hilal, Nuno Espirito Santo will definitely be looking to bring in a starting left-winger, and reportedly has his sights set on one of the best in the division last season.

With the money that the Hammers are expected to be working with this summer, a £10 million asking price wouldn't be too hard to match, but West Ham may be facing some top-flight opposition in their pursuit.

Coventry City, Stuttgart and Genoa all join West Ham United in Sorba Thomas transfer race

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According to the Daily Mail, signing Thomas may not be as straightforward as West Ham would have hoped, as they're set to face competition from last season's Championship champions Coventry City as well as Bundesliga side Stuttgart and Serie A outfit Genoa.

The report states that the Welshman's pre-season showing against Everton on Tuesday evening, in which the Potters won 1-0, has piqued the interest of the three top-flight sides.

Stuttgart's interest especially would be a difficult barrier to overcome for West Ham, as the German side would be able to offer Champions League football for the Stoke wideman, following their fourth-placed finish last season.

While Alan Nixon quoted a £10 million asking price from the Potters, Stoke are said to be valuing Thomas at £9 million. Either way, it would be a healthy profit for Mark Robins' side, who paid less than €2 million for him just a year ago.

West Ham United yet to make contact with Stoke City — rival interest could see them turn elsewhere

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In an update from Stoke reporter Peter Smith via the Sentinel on Wednesday afternoon, it was revealed that West Ham have yet to make contact with their divisional rivals over a possible signing of Stoke's reigning player of the year.

There's no doubting the financial power of West Ham heading into the Championship campaign, so if they are truly interested in Thomas, there'd be an expectation that an approach would already have been made.

But with three clubs who can offer what the Hammers cannot this summer registering their interest, perhaps the higher-ups at the London Stadium are already considering other options, as the 27-year-old may be more inclined to move to a top-flight or European side, rather than make a switch to a fellow second-tier club.

It is looking increasingly unlikely that Stoke will be able to convince Thomas to stay at the bet365 Stadium this summer, however, which will be a big blow to the Potters' hopes of finally finishing in the top half and possibly even making a run at the play-offs for the first time since their return to the Championship in 2018.