Now Sunderland hold talks to sign another West Ham target who wants to play with Jarrod Bowen.
After beating West Ham to Habib Diarra, Sunderland have now opened talks to sign another reported Hammers target who previously said he wants to play with Jarrod Bowen.
West Ham’s regression over the last 18 months is seeing them installed as relegation candidates next season.
In fact the likes of Paul Merson believe Sunderland will be ‘licking their lips’ at finishing above West Ham.
The Premier League promises to be fiercely competitive next season after two consecutive campaigns in which the three promoted sides went straight back down.
Ambitious Leeds have wasted no time using their reported £100m plus budget, closing on making it three new signings so far.
Sunderland already making life difficult for West Ham
Meanwhile West Ham cannot make any signings for Graham Potter until players are sold.
Newly-promoted Sunderland may have lost a key player in Jobe Bellingham.
But the Black Cats have wasted little time putting the Bellingham cash to good use, beating West Ham to reported Potter target Habib Diarra.
Strasbourg star Diarra is an attacking midfielder who can also play out wide and was tipped to be West Ham’s replacement for Mohammed Kudus, who is being sold to fund new arrivals.
New Sunderland signing Habib Diarra protests to the official after starring in Senegal’s win over England.
Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images
The Senegal international was a standout player in Ligue 1 last season, prompting interest from West Ham’s head of recruitment Kyle Macaulay – who was well aware of his talent having joined the Hammers from Strasbourg’s sister club Chelsea.
Hammers fans were excited by the Diarra links after he scored and played a big part in Senegal’s recent 3-1 win over England.
But Régis Le Bris swooped over the weekend to agree a £35m deal.
Now Sunderland are holding talks to sign another West Ham target who wants to play with Jarrod Bowen.
Sunderland move for West Ham target who wants Bowen link-up
Hammers fans are far from happy with the club’s transfer inactivity so far this summer.
The entire first month of the transfer window has passed with no new signings as West Ham chiefs continue to insist sales are needed before any movement can happen in the other direction.
The mood around the Hammers will darken further if reports emerging from France are to be believed.
Signing at least one new striker, if not two, is a top priority for Potter’s rebuild.
Danny Ings has been released, Evan Ferguson was sent back to Brighton after a disastrous loan, Niclas Fullkrug is up for sale and – at the time of writing – Michail Antonio has also been let go.
With Kudus being sold to raise funds, West Ham are desperately short in attack.
Olympique Lyonnais v Fotbal Club FCSB – UEFA Europa League 2024/25 Round of 16 Second Leg
Photo by Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images
Sunderland could strike Mikautadze Hammers blow
But the Hammers now face the prospect of missing out on a striker they were linked with just three months ago – who it is reported would love to play alongside captain Bowen.
Foot Mercato and Get French Football News are both reporting that Sunderland have held initial talks to enquire about signing Lyon’s Georgian forward Georges Mikautadze.
Lyon are in crisis having been relegated from Ligue 1 due to financial mismanagement.
All of Lyon’s players are up for sale as a result – regardless of whether the club wins its appeal against the demotion.
It is stated that 24-year-old Mikautadze could be the second arrival from Ligue 1 at the Stadium of Light this summer.
Back in March, Caught Offside claimed Mikautadze is keen to join the Hammers this summer.
And it was claimed that the opportunity to play alongside Bowen is something that’s very appealing to him.
West Ham have actually been linked with Mikautadze since 2023, and those links resurfaced following the arrival of Potter and Macaulay at the London Stadium.
He scored 26 goals and laid on 11 assists in 34 starts for club and country last season.
Many feel the clever, skilful and versatile forward is just what West Ham need.
With Sunderland moving for Mikautadze, the Hammers may get a very early taste of regret given they go to the Stadium of Light in the opening game of the new Premier League season.
Jarrod Bowen
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