Finally, some good news arrives at West Ham United. Good news in the shape of Monaco’s now-Premier League-bound midfield marvel Soungoutou Magassa.
Three days after reports from France suggested that Magassa had chosen Nottingham Forest over Graham Potter’s beleaguered side – and who could have blamed those in East London for feeling a little pessimistic given how the season has started? – Fabrizio Romano uttered the three words every West Ham United supporter was waiting for.
Soungoutou Magassa to West Ham, ‘here we go’. The France Under-21 international is expected to sign a six-year deal at the London Stadium, joining for an initial fee of £17 million.
Magassa was nowhere to be seen when Monaco were beaten 1-0 by Olivier Giroud and LOSC Lille on Sunday, albeit due to suspension rather than because of those transfer discussions.
But, speaking just before kick-off at the Stade Pierre Mauroy, Les Monegasques’ sporting director Thiago Scuro did indicate that talks with West Ham were heading in the right direction.
What Thiago Scuro said as West Ham United near deal for Monaco’s Soungoutou Magassa
After head coach Adi Hutter said that his Monaco squad is ‘too large’ and would benefit from a few departures, the 2017 Ligue 1 champions have opted to cash in on Magassa rather than captain Denis Zakaria.
Zakaria, a former Chelsea loanee, was the subject of a £34 million offer from Saudi Arabia.
Magassa, while the much younger of the two, is now set to leave himself in a deal which could see the Principality outfit bring in £17 million with add-ons and bonuses included.
“There will probably be developments in the coming days with player movements,” Scuro said regarding Magassa and Monaco’s other sellable assets, speaking to Le Figaro.
“Things are moving.”
Two days after Scuro spoke out about the West Ham-bound midfielder, Magassa seems destined to become the club’s first midfield signing of a frustrating window. And, in truth, it cannot come soon enough.
Monaco close while West Ham remain keen on Ivan Ilic and Mateus Fernandes
James Ward-Prowse and Tomas Soucek struggled badly as a dynamic, ruthless Chelsea side ripped into an underbelly softer than undercooked blancmange.
Hammers News’ chief football correspondent Graeme Bailey revealed on Friday that West Ham had picked Soungoutou Magassa as a ready-made successor for Edson Alvarez.
Mexico captain Alvarez completed an ‘incredible’ move to Fenerbahce late last week. And with the Turkish Super Lig giants reportedly taking over his £100,000-a-week contract, an option-to-buy clause has also been agreed upon, Alvarez’s departure frees up funds, and opens up a space, in Potter’s squad for a replacement to come in.
Magassa has been likened to Moises Caicedo, the lynchpin of Potter’s old Brighton and Hove Albion midfield, possessing the defensive output and ground-covering ability so obviously lacking in heavy defeats by Chelsea and Sunderland.
Hammers News can confirm that West Ham made a proposal for Torino’s Ivan Ilic as well. Southampton playmaker Mateus Fernandes remains a key target for the number eight role, meanwhile, though Feyenoord director Dennis te Kloese insists that West Ham are yet to approach Quinten Timber.
