West Ham reject Sunderland bid for Stewart Downing

West Ham United have rebuffed a £5m bid from Sunderland for star winger Stewart Downing.

The Black Cats boss Dick Advocaat has been offered with a £40m transfer kitty to bring in new recruits this summer.

The Hammers are understood to be closing in on the signing of Marseille winger Dimitri Payet for a reported fee of £17m, and this could force Downing out of the East London outfit.

Reports now claim that Advocaat will make a new offer for the former Liverpool star, should Payet join the Hammers.