Maxwel Cornet to make late West Ham United exit to Southampton before transfer deadline
Southampton have almost completed a deal to sign Maxwel Cornet on loan from West Ham, according to Fabrizio Romano.
The Italian journalist reported via X on 29 August that the Saints are close to securing a deal for the forgotten Ivorian attacker.
The Times had reported on 19 August that the former Burnley star was one of three midfielders the Hammers were willing to part with before the deadline in order to help make space for Carlos Soler to arrive from Paris Saint-Germain, along with Tomas Soucek and James Ward-Prowse.
Cornet, 27, was rarely favoured by David Moyes and has made just 37 appearances in two years since arrive from Turf Moor.
Romano wrote: "Southampton are close to agreeing season long loan for Maxwell Cornet, deal almost done."
West Ham clearing the decks to sign Carlos Soler from PSG?
If Cornet isn't set for a new lease of life at the London Stadium now that Julen Lopetegui has replaced Moyes then he obviously needs a move.
A substantial injury derailed his first season with the club and the former manager seemingly lost interest in using him thereafter.
But he is still only three years removed from scoring nine Premier League goals in just 26 games for Sean Dyche's doomed Clarets so unless he has completely gone off the boil he should be able to rebound if given the opportunity under Russell Martin.
At St. Mary's he will rejoin former Irons teammate Flynn Downes who arrived during the same summer as Cornet and was similarly ignored by Moyes.
He was revitalised on loan at Southampton last term after a "weird" year at West Ham [The Athletic] before completing a permanent transfer back to Martin's squad this summer.
Cornet still has three years and the option of a fourth on his Hammers contract so if he returns to form he could yet make an impact under Lopetegui in future, or at least increase his transfer value for a permanent move away.
In other West Ham news, an exit refusal at the London Stadium has held up a "key priority" late signing for Lopetegui.
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