West Ham are set to come up against a former cult hero who left the club for a European giant three years ago, as Sunderland get the ‘here we go’ from Fabrizio Romano on a shock deal.
The move brings a real West Ham fan favourite back to English football and boosts Sunderland’s hopes ahead of the opening game of their return to the Premier League.
West Ham go to the Stadium of Light to face the Black Cats next weekend looking to get the true beginning of Graham Potter’s tenure off to a good start.
Sunderland will be no pushovers, though, with the Premier League expected to be at its most competitive for years.
The same 17 teams will start the new Premier League campaign as have begun the last two after all three promoted sides were relegated in the past two seasons.
West Ham and Sunderland have it all to prove in Premier League
But the likes of Paul Merson believe Sunderland will be licking their lips about finishing above West Ham.
Like it or not, West Ham’s regression over the last 18 months is seeing them installed as relegation candidates next season.
Sunderland will be mentioned in those circles too so there is a lot riding on the opening game in terms of both clubs setting their stall out for the season.
Regis Le Bris may have lost a key player in Jobe Bellingham.
But the Black Cats look to have put the Bellingham cash to good use, beating West Ham to reported Potter target Habib Diarra.
PSR troubles have restricted West Ham’s spending.
But the Hammers are on the verge of completing their fourth signing of the summer with the imminent arrival of goalkeeper Mads Hermansen in an £18m deal from Leicester.
The Irons are keen to offload fringe players to raise funds, one of those being defender Nayef Aguerd.
Sunderland have been linked with West Ham flop Aguerd, who Le Bris knows from their time in France.
It remains to be seen whether the Black Cats make a move but they would need to come knocking on West Ham’s door with at least £15-17m for the Moroccan – according to Hammers News sources.
West Ham will now face cult hero after shock Sunderland signing
West Ham’s business is not done with at least two more eyed before the summer transfer window slams shut in just over three weeks.
One of the most exciting additions in east London this summer has been left-back El Hadji Malick Diouf.
The young Senegal star is already becoming known for his lung-busting runs and crossing.
Diouf is not the only African left-back who has been a big hit with supporters in recent years, though.
And the Hammers will be reunited with the last player fitting that description.
Because West Ham are now set to face a former cult hero who left for European giants after a shock Sunderland deal gets the ‘here we go’.
‘King’ Arthur Masuaku is back in the Premier League
When the Hammers head to the Stadium of Light next weekend, they look set to face former star Arthur Masuaku.
Masuaku – or ‘King Arthur’ as he was affectionately known in east London – has just signed for Sunderland to seal a surprise return to the Premier League.
Skilful and pacy left-back Masuaku sent an emotional farewell to West Ham when he left for Besiktas on loan with an option to buy three years ago.
The DR Congo international said he ‘always felt loved there with you’ when he departed for Turkey.
The move was made permanent heading into the following summer.
That looked likely to be the last the Premier League saw of the ex Olympiacos man.
But King Arthur has returned to England as Fabrizio Romano has confirmed the 31-year-old is signing for Sunderland one week out from the season-opener against West Ham.
Masuaku to face old club West Ham in first game for Sunderland
Romano says Masuaku is signing a two-year deal at the Stadium of Light pending a successful medical.
The big Masuaku West Ham reunion adds an intriguing subplot to the first game of the 2025/26 campaign.
The Hammers will be hoping Masuaku does not (mis)hit another world class strike into the top corner like he did to win a London derby against Chelsea 3-2 in the dying moments back in December 2021.
You can take a trip down memory lane by checking out that goal above.
Sunderland fans are in for a treat if Masuaku has retained his pace and skill levels.
Although Masuaku’s defending at times was one area of his game he needed to improve with wingback or playing on the wing a much better fit.
By all accounts he was also a well-liked character in the Hammers dressing room.
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