West Ham United is preparing a £10 million transfer offer to re-sign Stoke City winger Sorba Thomas, according to reports on Tuesday.
The move would mark a potential return for the 27-year-old a decade after his academy release.
Manager's Plans and Funding
Manager Nuno Espirito Santo is looking to bolster his squad ahead of the new Championship season.
The club's only permanent signing so far is Keiber Lamadrid following a successful loan spell.
West Ham recently generated nearly £150 million from selling Crysencio Summerville and Mateus Fernandes.
Journalist Alan Nixon reported that the East London club is willing to meet Stoke City's valuation using these newly banked funds.
Thomas signed a three-year contract with Stoke last summer following a transfer from Huddersfield Town.
He previously spent a season on loan in Ligue 1 with Nantes before returning to English football.
During his debut campaign with the Potters, he recorded 10 goals and matched Gustavo Hamer with a league-high 13 assists.
This performance cemented his reputation as one of the English Football League's top creative players.
The Wales international originally began his football career in West Ham's youth system before being released in 2016 at the age of 16.
The setback heavily impacted the teenager, who subsequently joined Boreham Wood.
"Growing up I was only ever good at football. It's all I ever wanted.
So to be getting told you're not good enough hit me really hard, because I'd never been told that before.
When it happened I threw my boots and shin pads in the bin," Thomas said in a 2021 Sky Sports interview.
After making 77 appearances for Boreham Wood, Thomas transferred to Huddersfield in 2021, where his professional standing rapidly elevated.
He credits his early departure from East London as the primary catalyst for his current success on the pitch.
"Right now I look back on it and think that being released at a young age is the best thing that ever happened to me," Thomas stated.
Now an established winger, Thomas is reportedly open to the transfer following his standout season at Stoke.
Nixon suggested the full-circle return to his boyhood club represents an ideal career step.
"Would suit him perfectly," noted Alan Nixon, transfer specialist.
