West Ham 'favourites' for promotion after agreeing another 'very good' deal - Keith Wyness
West Ham United are firm favourites to secure an immediate return to the Premier League this season amid their impending sale of Crysencio Summerville.
That is according to former Everton chief executive Keith Wyness, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, who believes that the Irons hierarchy will be delighted to have found the Dutchman a move away from England.
The East Londoners have reached an agreement worth a total £60million with Al Hilal, with the Saudi Pro League side now finalising their move for the winger.
Wyness believes that West Ham have secured a "good price" for their wantaway star, which in turn can now be spent on strengthening their own squad.
This comes after they previously netted £85m by selling midfielder Mateus Fernandes to Tottenham earlier in the transfer window.
A permanent move for loanee Keiber Lamadrid currently stands as the club's only summer signing, but Wyness still believes they are the "favourites" to win the Championship title.
West Ham hailed for Crysencio Summerville sale
Everton’s former chief Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – believes that West Ham have secured strong value from their imminent sale of Summerville.
The Scottish businessman made it clear that the picture is starting to look a little rosier at the London Stadium, now that money has come in, and Jarrod Bowen has committed his future.
Speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider's Inside Track, he emphasised that the board would have been pleased to avoid selling Summerville to another English club.
"Yes, exactly that reason. I think it's very good. I think it's a good price, and it is good not to have him knocking in goals for somebody in England," Wyness said.
"The player wanted a move away. The Championship is something that he doesn't want to play in. So yes, it's good for all parties.
"West Ham have had Jarrod Bowen come out and say he's definitely going to stay as well. Things are starting to look a little bit better, and I think they've got to be favourites to come back up; let's see how that goes."
West Ham closing in on Ben Nelson at 'cut-price fee'
Former West Ham scout Mick Brown told Football Insider earlier this week that his former club have got their eyes on a move for young Leicester City centre-back Ben Nelson.
The capital club had scouts watching the 22-year-old on several occasions last season, as he enjoyed a promising individual campaign despite his team's relegation.
Brown revealed that Nuno Espirito Santo and Co. are looking to add to their options at centre-back, but know that they cannot compete in the same markets as Premier League clubs.
There is an "expectation" that Leicester's players will be available at "cut-price fees" after they dropped into League One, and West Ham are now ready to pounce on Nelson.