Nuno won’t be happy as Sam Matterface shares breaking West Ham update from London Stadium
West Ham United received some transfer news while their clash with Sunderland was still ongoing on Saturday lunchtime.
West Ham saw off Sunderland 3-1 in a win that massively boosts the Hammers’ hopes of avoiding Premier League relegation.
Jarrod Bowen scored from a penalty that was rightly awarded to West Ham after Crysencio Summerville had earlier opened the scoring.
Nuno Espirito Santo‘s side were three goals to the good before half-time as Mateus Fernandes scored a screamer.
Brian Brobbey gave Sunderland hope in the second half when pulling one back, but it remained at 3-1 as the Hammers had a lot goal chalked off.
While the result was a huge positive for West Ham, events going on behind the scenes were less positive for Nuno.
West Ham move for Adama Traore collapses
West Ham thought a deal was in place to sign Adama Traore from Fulham, but that may no longer be the case.
Traore has long been on Nuno’s radar, with the Portuguese having previously worked with the pacey forward at Wolves.
But it appears Traore will no longer end up at the London Stadium this month, with commentator Sam Matterface breaking off from talkSPORT commentary duties on the game to provide an update.
“A bit of breaking news to bring you in the last few minutes,” he said. “talkSPORT understands a deal for Adama Traore is off.
“It means West Ham will have to reassess and look elsewhere in the market. That deal was key – it’s one Nuno pushed for – so keep an eye on developments there.
“It’ll be interesting to hear from him because he was really keen to get that one over the line.“
No further details were provided, meaning it is unknown exactly why the deal broke down having seemingly been at an advanced stage.
West Ham don’t need Traore after win vs Sunderland
West Ham produced their best performance under Nuno – and indeed of the season – in seeing off Sunderland with ease.
The Black Cats have been the surprise package of the season but they had no answer to West Ham’s attacking play in the first half.
Summerville now has three goals in his past three outings, as well as an assist, with the winger showing the type of form that explains why the Hammers pushed so hard to sign him.
Bowen was also on the scoresheet, while Tatty Castellanos and Pablo are also slotting in very well in the final third.
West Ham fans would love another addition, but this performance suggests another attacker is not necessarily required.
That money could instead be spent elsewhere in order to give Nuno all the tools he needs to drag West Ham to safety.
Stay up to date this winter with our West Ham transfer tracker. Click to see every done deal at the London Stadium, plus expert reaction from our team of writers.