Southampton to beat Crystal Palace hijack for Maxwel Cornet from West Ham United
Maxwel Cornet is expected to complete a West Ham exit to Southampton despite attempts from Crystal Palace to hijack the deal, Fabrizio Romano reports.
According to the Italian journalist via X on 30 August the Ivorian attacker is still set to join the Saints before the transfer deadline.
The Mirror’s Ryan Taylor had reported earlier on Deadline Day that the Irons were in talks with both clubs and if an agreement could be reached it would be up to the player to decide, but it appears Russell Martin’s side have prevailed.
Maxwel Cornet not in Julen Lopetegui plans at West Ham
Cornet doesn’t look to be Julen Lopetegui’s thoughts any more than he ended up being in David Moyes’ so it is probably hard to see him returning to the squad in the future now.
The managerial change would have been the former Burnley star’s best opportunity to get back into the picture at the London Stadium.
But the Spaniard has made PSG midfielder Carlos Soler a “key priority” for the end of the window [Guardian, 26 August], and a deal has now been agreed to bring him in on a loan that could become permanent for £16.8million [Fabrizio Romano, 30 August].
That is less than it cost to sign Cornet from Turf Moor two summers ago when a £17.5m deal was done [Sky Sports] but injury derailed his first season and he was never able to force his way back in properly.
And with Chelsea’s Carney Chukwuemeka now also a Deadline Day target [Guardian, 30 August] the manager and Tim Steidten are clearly planning in a different direction.
In other West Ham news, a club that is “active” as the window closes have come forward with a new offer to sign an exit-bound senior ace.
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