West Ham United have now stormed into the race to sign Sunderland striker Wilson Isidor, with Regis Le Bris’ side open to a sale.
Despite Jarrod Bowen reaffirming his commitment to West Ham, Nuno‘s side remain keen on strengthening their forward line this summer, and Isidor has emerged as a target, after spending two seasons at the Stadium of Light.
During his first campaign with the Black Cats, the seven-cap Haiti international played a key role in securing promotion to the Premier League, scoring 12 goals in 43 matches during the regular season, while also managing to grab two assists.
In the 2025-26 campaign, the 25-year-old featured 32 times in the Premier League, scoring six goals, and he recorded an average of 0.47 goals per 90, which was the highest number in Le Bris’ squad.
Sky Sports reporter Dougie Critchley is a keen admirer of the France-born striker too, describing him as a “one-man machine” before Sunderland went on to achieve promotion, but he did fall down the pecking order last season, appearing for just 1,159 minutes in the Premier League.
That said, the striker’s experience in the Championship could serve the Hammers well next season, and there have now been some encouraging signs that a deal may be possible.
West Ham willing to pay Sunderland’s asking price for Wilson Isidor
According to reporter Alan Nixon (via West Ham Zone), Sunderland are prepared to sell Isidor this summer, and West Ham are willing to pay the full asking price of £20m.
Following the big-money sales of Mateus Fernandes and Crysencio Summerville, the Hammers have money to spend, and the Sunderland centre-forward is seemingly attainable.
That said, the Rennes-born striker isn’t the only option on the shortlist, with the Irons also recently making an approach to sign Al-Ittihad marksman George Ilenikhena, who wants to return to Europe.
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Which striker should West Ham sign? |
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Wilson Isidor |
Isidor has two full seasons under his belt in England, gaining experience in both the Championship and the Premier League. Nuno’s main aim next season will undoubtedly be to achieve promotion at the first attempt, and the Sunderland centre-forward has proven he is up to that task during his time with Sunderland. That said, an overall record of 19 goals in 82 matches for the Black Cats isn’t the greatest. |
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George Ilenikhena |
Ilenikhena, on the other hand, is much younger than Isidor at just 19-years-old. As such, the Nigerian isn’t blessed with a great deal of experience, but he did manage to get on the scoresheet ten times in 51 appearances for AS Monaco, while also scoring 14 goals in 50 games for Royal Antwerp, which is impressive at such a young age. |
Following Fernandes’ departure, West Ham are also eager to improve their midfield this summer, and they have now agreed personal terms with Celtic star Arne Engels.
