James Tomkins is reportedly thinking about leaving West Ham this summer.
West Ham’s James Tomkins applauds their fans at full time
According to print edition of The Sun (p66), West Ham United defender James Tomkins could leave the club this summer, with Sam Allardyce keen on a reunion.
The Hammers are looking to strengthen their squad this summer ahead of the big move to the Olympic Stadium, but some players may also be looking to leave for first-team football elsewhere.
Sunday’s edition of The Sun claims that homegrown defender James Tomkins is becoming increasingly frustrated with life at West Ham, and could leave this summer.
Tomkins, 27, joined West Ham at the age of just seven way back in 1997, and has come up through the club’s ranks ever since, with his only move away being a loan deal with Derby County back in 2008.
The centre back, who can also play at right back, has now racked up almost 250 appearances for West Ham, becoming one of their most reliable players – even if he isn’t a first-choice player under Slaven Bilic.
However, it’s being a backup which now appears to have left Tomkins frustrated, and The Sun believe that Tomkins could end up leaving the club this summer after Bilic chose to play winger Michail Antonio at right back instead for the final few games of the past season.
One man who could be keen to sign Tomkins is Sam Allardyce, with the former West Ham boss now in charge of Sunderland, and the Black Cats need defensive help.
The report claims that Sunderland are ‘set to throw the frustrated defender a lifeline’ this summer, and a reunion with Allardyce could make plenty of sense.
Tomkins was a regular under Allardyce at Upton Park, and could form a promising partnership with Lamine Kone in defence – but whether the Hammers are ready to let one of their longest-serving players go remains to be seen.
Would you sell Tomkins to Sunderland this summer?
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
