Sunderland have made a key decision about Wilson Isidor as West Ham eye a move for the Haiti star.
The striker may not have started every week last season, but he played a hugely important role in a remarkable campaign.
Régis Le Bris guided the Black Cats to seventh place in their first Premier League season following promotion, securing a Europa League place with a final-day victory over Chelsea.
Isidor contributed six goals from 32 league appearances, despite playing only 1,159 minutes, and that limited playing time gives his record useful context.
Brian Brobbey often led the attack, but Isidor remained a dangerous alternative. His pace, direct running and willingness to attack space allowed Le Bris to change the shape of games from the bench.
He also showed that he could hurt strong opposition.
Isidor scored against West Ham on Sunderland’s opening day back in the top flight, then found the net at Old Trafford and Stamford Bridge during an excellent early run.
Those moments strengthened the connection he had already built with supporters during the promotion campaign.
The former Monaco forward originally moved to Wearside on loan from Zenit St Petersburg in August 2024. Sunderland activated their option during the following February and handed him a contract till 2028.
Isidor bagged 12 goals in 43 Championship appearances that season, before he struck at Coventry in the first leg of the play-off semi-final.
After developing at Rennes and Monaco, Isidor gained senior experience during loans with Laval and Bastia-Borgo. He later moved to Russia, representing Lokomotiv Moscow and Zenit before Sunderland offered him a fresh start.
Isidor then raised his profile further this summer after committing his international future to Haiti.
The 25-year-old travelled to the World Cup with a nation appearing at the tournament for the first time since 1974.
Haiti lost all three group matches, but Isidor produced their defining individual moment. His powerful strike against Morocco briefly put Haiti ahead and was later voted the third-best goal of the tournament.
That performance appears to have increased interest in his signature.
West Ham have been the club most strongly linked as Nuno Espírito Santo attempts to build a squad capable of winning immediate promotion from the Championship.
Earlier reports claimed the Hammers were willing to meet a valuation of about £20 million and that Sunderland could consider selling.
Those suggestions created the impression that a deal was possible if Isidor could be convinced to drop back into the second tier.
However, Sky Sports reporter Keith Downie has now delivered a very different update.
Sunderland close door on Wilson Isidor move to West Ham
Indeed, Downie now claims that Sunderland will not sell Isidor this summer and will refuse to consider offers, despite approaches from several clubs and particularly strong interest from West Ham.
He adds that the Haitian remains an integral member of Le Bris’ squad as Sunderland prepare to balance Premier League and Europa League commitments.
That stance makes sense with extra fixtures ahead.
Brobbey may begin the campaign as Sunderland’s leading centre-forward, but European football will demand genuine depth. Isidor offers experience of Le Bris’ methods, Premier League goals and a different attacking threat.
West Ham may still admire him, but Sunderland have now made their position clear.
After helping deliver promotion, survival and European qualification, Isidor is expected to stay and fight for a bigger role on Wearside.
