The sudden Premier League return of Arthur Masuaku merely adds yet another intriguing subplot ahead of West Ham United’s top-flight opener away at Sunderland on Saturday afternoon.
Newly-promoted Sunderland snapped up Masuaku two years after the popular left-back brought an end to his time at the London Stadium.
Should he make his Black Cats debut against the club for whom he made 105 Premier League appearances between 2016 and 2022, expect Masuaku to put those West Ham allegiances aside regardless of how much love ‘King Arthur’ felt from a fanbase who grew to see him as something of a modern-day cult hero.
Masuaku, though, is not the only member of Regis Le Bris’ squad whose potential involvement against West Ham United merely adds to the intrigue.
Hammers News can confirm that head of recruitment Kyle Macaulay had watched Habib Diarra closely before the midfielder’s £30 million switch from Strasbourg to Sunderland.
Goalkeeper Robin Roefs was linked with the Hammers too, while German publication Rheinische Post claimed that former Arsenal captain Granit Xhaka was briefly a target before Sunderland completed one of the most eye-catching moves of the entire summer.
West Ham United coach Graham Potter hails Sunderland’s Granit Xhaka signing
Returning on the back of a Bundesliga title and having played the best, most consistent football of his career at Bayer Leverkusen, Xhaka could make his first appearance in England’s top flight since he signed off at Arsenal with a brace during the 5-0 drubbing of Wolves in May 2023.
“He’s a top player, that’s for sure,” Potter said during his pre-match press conference on Thursday lunchtime.
“Great experience, great quality, great leadership. I’m sure he is going to bring all his experiences – and they have been mostly positive – to help Sunderland.”
Given that West Ham have still not added a new midfielder to their ranks – Southampton rejected a £30 million bid for Mateus Fernandes this week while Jacob Ramsey is Newcastle-bound – there will be plenty heading up to Wearside feeling pretty envious of Sunderland’s remarkable overhaul.
Xhaka, Diarra and Noah Sadiki – the latter brought in from Anderlecht – has the potential to become one of the standout midfields in the competition.
West Ham, in contrast, are reduced to hoping that James Ward-Prowse, Edson Alvarez and Guido Rodriguez can rediscover the form that brought them to East London in the first place.
Hammers News can confirm though, just for clarity, that reports of West Ham’s interest in Switzerland icon Xhaka were some way wide of the mark.
Potter excited by Stadium of Light ‘test’ as Crysencio Summerville return edges closer
“For us, it is about what we can do, how we can play,” adds Potter. “We have to make sure we match the intensity and the positivity of that environment, and make sure we are ready for that.
“It’s been a positive pre-season for us and, as much as you can talk about positive pre-seasons, you can’t beat the first day, the first game. Super excited. A great game for us in what I’m sure is going to be a fantastic atmosphere.
“A big test but we’re ready and we are looking forward to it.”
Potter confirmed that Crysencio Summerville and George Earthy are unavailable, albeit the former is edging closer to a comeback seven months after he suffered that serious hamstring injury.
Former West Ham starlet Aji Alese is a Sunderland player these days, meanwhile. Saturday’s opener will come too soon for him as well, though, with a shoulder problem ruling Alese out.
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