Maxwel Cornet en route for medical as West Ham United transfer now close
Maxwel Cornet is travelling to Southampton to complete a medical ahead of a last-gasp West Ham exit, a source has told Mark McAdam.
The Sky Sports presenter reported via his personal X account [30 August] that the newly promoted Premier League side are pushing to sign the 27-year-old on loan.
It is understood that Crystal Palace were interested in acquiring the winger’s signature ahead of the 11pm deadline [Fabrizio Romano], but the Saints look to have won the race.
Maxwel Cornet set to depart West Ham United on loan
The main surprise to many is that it has taken this long for the Hammers to get Cornet out of the club, with only a few hours remaining until the transfer window slams shut.
His transfer in the summer of 2022 was greeted with a rather mixed reaction, and those initial concerns have certainly been justified, having made just 37 appearances since.
The Ivory Coast winger barely featured under David Moyes last season, making just one Premier League start, adding to his two Premier League starts from the previous campaign.
Injuries have been a consistent theme for the 27-year-old, which has hindered his ability to break into the first team and cement a spot in the starting XI, and he is now clearly not part of Julen Lopetegui’s plans.
It makes complete sense for the player to exit the club this summer, and if the Saints can help him rediscover his previous form, they may have a very dangerous winger on their hands this season.
He impressed a lot for Burnley, spending just a single season at Turf Moor, where he scored nine goals in 28 appearances and even deputised at full-back, but his move to the London Stadium never worked out.
Of course, if all goes well, the loan move means a win-win for the Hammers. Either he could return to the club a better player or his price tag rises due to his performances.
In other West Ham news, the club have agreed personal terms for a new signing as they look to seal a deadline-day blitz.
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