(Credit: Imago)
(Credit: Imago)
Transfers

Soungoutou Magassa transfer hijack attempt after West Ham medical completed in London

Pranav Shahaney
Pranav Shahaney

Pranav is a sports journalist who graduated from St. Mary’s University, London, in Sports Journalism (MA). He has over nine years of experience working inside newsrooms, including but not limited to News Associates, The Non League Paper, HT Media Group, VAVEL, Sportskeeda, Chichester Observer and Eastbourne Herald. He specialises in news related to takeovers, club finances and injuries.

Published on: 

West Ham are reportedly keen on signing Monaco midfielder Soungoutou Magassa.

Magassa appeared set to join West Ham and a £17million deal had been agreed with the Ligue 1 club.

Graham Potter wants a new midfielder at the London Stadium ahead of the transfer deadline and the 21-year-old emerged as a priority option.

Edson Alvarez joined Fenerbahce on loan, leaving the Hammers an option shy in the middle of the park.

Edson Alvarez is nearing a move to Fenerbahce
Alvarez struggled at West Ham. (Credit: Imago)

Frankfurt attempt to hijack Soungoutou Magassa

The deal to bring Magassa to the capital has not yet been finalised and may still encounter a few more twists and turns.

It's understood that Bundesliga side Eintracht Frankfurt are also keen on securing the France Under-21 international's services.

Santi Aouna reported on 27 August that Frankfurt are looking to hijack the deal and sign him ahead of the Hammers.

The Foot Mercato journalist claims that the Irons have reached a total agreement to sign the Monaco midfielder and has even undergone a medical.

However, the Frenchman is said to be tempted by a move to Frankfurt.

Via X, Aouna wrote: "Frankfurt is trying to hijack the deal for Soungoutou Magassa to West Ham. Despite a total agreement between the parties, Frankfurt is attempting the move on loan with an obligatory purchase option.

"Magassa has already undergone his medical in London but Frankfurt is now pushing for the player. Magassa is now very tempted to join Frankfurt."

West Ham have only themselves to blame

West Ham have only themselves to blame for the precarious situation surrounding Magassa's transfer, as the 21-year-old, having already completed his medical, is now keen on joining Eintracht Frankfurt instead.

Despite securing personal terms and fending off rivals like Nottingham Forest, West Ham's sluggish pace in finalising the contract, amid a dismal season start with heavy defeats and midfield shortages after Alvarez's loan departure, allowed Frankfurt to swoop in, tempting Magassa with Bundesliga appeal.

West Ham's summer arrivals:

  • Jean-Clair Todibo – Defender signed from OGC Nice
  • El-Hadji Malik Diouf – Wing-back signed from Slavia Prague
  • Kyle Walker-Peters – Defender signed on a free transfer
  • Callum Wilson – Striker signed on a free transfer
  • Mads Hermansen – Goalkeeper signed from Leicester
  • Daniel Cummings - Forward signed from Celtic

Had the Hammers acted decisively post-medical, the deal would be sealed.

Now, with the 1 September deadline looming, they risk scrambling for alternatives, exacerbating their squad vulnerabilities.

Sign up for the West Ham Zone WhatsApp channel and turn on notifications to have all the latest, breaking West Ham United news sent straight to your phone.

Soungoutou Magassa
www.westhamzone.com