West Ham are planning to sign a Championship star as a replacement for Crysencio Summerville.

West Ham United are beginning to map out their transfer plans ahead of life in the Championship, and Stoke City winger Sorba Thomas has emerged as a player of interest should Crysencio Summerville complete a move away from the London Stadium this summer.

Following relegation from the Premier League, the Hammers face one of the most significant rebuilding projects in recent years. While supporters continue to wait for transfer activity to gather momentum, the club is already identifying players capable of strengthening the squad as they aim for an immediate return to the top flight.

With Summerville attracting serious attention from elsewhere, West Ham are preparing for the possibility of losing one of their most influential attacking players, and Thomas is reportedly among the leading candidates being considered as a replacement.

A Slow Start to West Ham’s Summer Business

The transfer window has been relatively quiet for West Ham so far, with little movement in terms of incoming players.

The only completed arrival has been the permanent signing of Keiber Lamadrid after his initial loan spell from Venezuelan club Deportivo La Guaira. Beyond that deal, the club has yet to announce any major additions, leaving fans eager to see the recruitment strategy begin to take shape.

Despite the lack of new signings, there has been notable activity regarding departures. Midfielder Mateus Fernandes completed a huge £85 million transfer to Tottenham Hotspur, providing West Ham with a significant financial boost following the loss of Premier League income.

However, Fernandes is unlikely to be the last high-profile player to leave East London before the transfer window closes.

Summerville’s Future Remains Uncertain

Several important members of the current squad continue to attract transfer interest.

Jarrod Bowen and Aaron Wan-Bissaka have both been linked with moves elsewhere, while Crysencio Summerville has reportedly become a serious target for Manchester United.

If the Dutch winger eventually departs, West Ham would lose one of their primary attacking threats, creating a major gap on the left side of their forward line.

Replacing a player of Summerville’s quality will not be straightforward, meaning the club is already assessing suitable alternatives capable of delivering similar levels of creativity and attacking output in the Championship.

Sorba Thomas Emerges as a Leading Option

According to reports from the West Ham Way Patreon, Stoke City’s Sorba Thomas is firmly on the club’s radar should Summerville leave this summer.

The Welsh international enjoyed an outstanding campaign with Stoke last season and has developed into one of the Championship’s most productive wide players.

Thomas joined the Potters from Huddersfield Town after spending part of the previous campaign on loan with French side Nantes. Stoke secured his signature for a reported fee of under £2 million, a transfer that quickly proved to be exceptional value.

Only one season later, Thomas has established himself as one of the division’s standout performers, attracting attention from clubs with promotion ambitions.

Summerville’s Impact Since Joining West Ham

Summerville arrived at West Ham in the summer of 2024 after impressing with Leeds United.

The Hammers invested an initial £25 million plus additional performance-related bonuses to bring the winger to East London, believing he could become a key figure in their attack.

Across 56 appearances in all competitions, the Dutchman has contributed eight goals and seven assists, consistently providing pace, direct running and attacking flair from the left wing.

His performances also earned him international recognition with the Netherlands.

During the World Cup in North America, Summerville scored twice and supplied another two assists in just four matches before the Dutch were eliminated by Morocco in a penalty shootout. Although he missed the decisive penalty, his tournament performances further enhanced his growing reputation.

As a result, interest in the 24-year-old has continued to increase, making a summer transfer appear increasingly possible.

Thomas Delivered Outstanding Numbers at Stoke

If West Ham are forced to replace Summerville, Thomas arrives with impressive Championship credentials.

The 27-year-old produced ten goals and eleven assists during his first full season at Stoke, reaching double figures in both categories despite playing in a side that often struggled for consistency.

Many observers regarded Thomas as Stoke City’s most influential player throughout the campaign, particularly during periods when goalkeeper Viktor Johansson was unavailable.

His consistent performances helped drive much of Stoke’s attacking play and significantly raised his reputation across the Championship.

One of the Division’s Most Creative Players

Although Thomas and Summerville both naturally operate from the left wing, their playing styles differ considerably.

Summerville is known for his explosive dribbling, pace and willingness to attack defenders directly before cutting inside onto his stronger right foot.

Thomas, meanwhile, offers greater creativity through his crossing ability and final-ball quality.

Rather than relying solely on individual dribbling, the Welsh international regularly looks to deliver dangerous crosses into the penalty area and create opportunities for teammates.

His creativity was reflected in the statistics, as he produced an outstanding 90 chances during last season’s Championship campaign, the highest total recorded in the division according to FotMob.

Had Stoke possessed a more clinical centre-forward throughout the season, Thomas’s assist tally could easily have been even higher.

A Return to Familiar Surroundings?

A move to West Ham would also represent something of a homecoming for Thomas.

Before beginning his professional career elsewhere, he spent time within the Hammers’ academy system as a youngster.

After leaving the club, he rebuilt his career with Boreham Wood, spending five years there before earning a move into the English Football League with Huddersfield Town in 2021.

His steady rise has continued ever since, culminating in an outstanding season at Stoke City.

A return to the club where his football journey first began would certainly add an interesting storyline should negotiations develop later this summer.

Stoke Hold a Strong Negotiating Position

Although West Ham may admire Thomas, completing a transfer will be far from straightforward.

The winger remains under contract with Stoke until the summer of 2028, meaning the Championship side have little pressure to sell.

Having signed him for a modest fee only a year ago, Stoke are fully aware of his increased market value and would almost certainly demand a significant transfer fee before considering any offers.

At present, no formal bid has been submitted, but Thomas remains a player being monitored closely by the Hammers as they prepare for every possible outcome regarding Summerville’s future.

Why Thomas Could Suit Nuno Espírito Santo

Should Nuno Espírito Santo lose Summerville, Thomas appears to possess several qualities that would make him an attractive replacement.

Throughout his managerial career, Nuno has alternated between systems using either a back three or a back four, often placing great importance on versatile wide players capable of fulfilling multiple tactical roles.

Thomas fits that profile perfectly.

In addition to operating as a traditional winger, he has regularly featured as a wing-back, offering valuable tactical flexibility that Summerville does not naturally provide.

His work rate, crossing ability and positional adaptability would allow Nuno to switch formations without sacrificing balance on the left flank.

For a club aiming to challenge for immediate promotion, recruiting proven Championship performers is likely to be essential.

Based on his outstanding performances for Stoke City last season, Sorba Thomas appears to fit exactly that description, making him a logical target if West Ham ultimately lose Crysencio Summerville during the remainder of the transfer window.