Sheffield United’s Sydie Peck told what he must tell West Ham as Hammers links emerge
With West Ham chairman David Sullivan harbouring doubts as to the kind of value which can really be found in the Championship market, fans of Norwich City and Sheffield United can maybe sleep a little easier.
Hammers News have been informed that, following Flynn Downes’ disappointing stay at the London Stadium and with Crysencio Summerville yet to justify his £30 million price-tag, Sullivan has reservations about West Ham delving below the Premier League in pursuit of further EFL additions.
So, while it is understood that Norwich City duo Borja Sainz and Josh Sargent do have admirers at the London Stadium, a potential £35 million double deal for the Carrow Road pair feels pretty unlikely.
Director Ben Knapper admits Norwich cannot rule out selling Sainz or Sargent this summer. Between them, the two yellow-and-green clad forwards scored 33 Championship goals last term to catch the eye of the likes of Porto, Napoli and Roma.
But, as West Ham pursue Emanuel Emegha and Baris Alper Yilmaz of Strasbourg and Galatasaray, any new forwards arriving over the summer appear destined to instead come from further afield.
Sullivan’s singed Football League fingers have not stopped speculation emerging regarding a potential swoop for Sheffield United midfielder Sydie Peck, however.
EFL pundit Don Goodman has reservations of his own, meanwhile, about a deal that would take the Enfield-born Arsenal academy graduate back to the English capital.
Don Goodman shares Sydie Peck to West Ham United doubts
Still only 20, Peck emerged as the beating heart of the Blades’ midfield last term. He started 35 Championship matches and appeared in all-but one as Chris Wilder’s side finished third in a three-horse pursuit for automatic promotion.
Despite Sullivan’s wariness, The Guardian reports that West Ham have scouted Sunderland sensation Chris Rigg and Middlesbrough dynamo Hayden Hackney alongside England Under-20 international Peck.
But, while there is certainly room in Graham Potter’s midfield for a new signing to immediately establish himself as a starting option, Goodman feels that a departure from Bramall Lane could come too early in Peck’s development.
“If he went to West Ham, he probably wouldn’t be getting the same amount of game time that he would if he stayed at Sheffield United,” Goodman argues, in conversation with Football League World.
“So, I think for his development I’d think about maybe staying.”
Sheffield United suffered play-off heartbreak yet again in May, losing at Wembley thanks to Tommy Watson’s stoppage time Sunderland winner.
“If you were Sheffield United, I should imagine you’re now beyond desperate to get back to the Premier League after what happened in the play-off final last season,” adds Goodman, formerly of Nottingham Forest, West Brom and Southampton.
“So, with that in mind, you would imagine you’d want to keep all your best players. [With Peck, it will be] interesting to see what happens there.”
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In an interview with The Star this week, Peck credited Sheffield United with helping him make the step up to Championship level on the back of a loan spell in non-league with Oldham Athletic.
A tenacious operator who racked up seven yellow cards in 2024/25, Blades boss Chris Wilder raved about Peck’s ‘outstanding’ displays. He also credits the youngster with providing a ‘calmness and an assurance’ in the middle of the park despite his obvious lack of first-team experience.
