Sources are claiming West Ham could be on the verge of what would be their worst transfer decision for years involving Soungoutou Magassa.
West Ham have made some woeful recruitment calls over the years but the £17m signing of Soungoutou Magassa is undoubtedly among the best.
French Under 21 ace Magassa was identified by top Hammers scout Max Hahn as he arrived in east London alongside brilliant £40m fellow young midfielder Mateus Fernandes.
West Ham have squandered millions in the transfer market, especially since Declan Rice was sold for £105m.
The Irons have lurched from an agent-led scattergun recruitment to appointing specialist technical directors and heads of recruitment to oversee signings and back again.
So it figures that Nuno Espirito Santo continues to insist he must rebalance a Hammers squad completely lacking any quality or depth in several key areas.
Magassa is one of West Ham’s best value signings for years
Not all of the club’s signings have been disastrous, though.
Magassa and Fernandes have finally brought many of the attributes to West Ham’s midfield that the club has sorely lacked since Rice’s departure.
West Ham signed Magassa for £14.7m. He’s EASILY worth £50m today…🤑
What have YOU made of his impact this season?
While Fernandes has established himself as a mainstay in the side, Magassa has been in and out – despite impressing in most of his performances, even when West Ham have struggled.
Gary Neville labelled Magassa a ‘midfield destroyer’ when he starred in a draw at Man United.
Hammers fans have largely loved what they have seen from the powerful, rangy midfielder.
But Magassa found himself back out of the side again in the vital win at Spurs.
They say never change a winning team – so that could well mean a spell out of the team in the coming matches.
The rollercoaster nature of Magassa’s debut season at West Ham – and the looming threat of relegation – has clearly caught the attention of other clubs sensing an opportunity.
Now new developments will raise serious concerns over strategy, timing and whether lessons from previous missteps are once again being ignored as the club approaches a critical point in the window.
And West Ham could be on the verge of their worst transfer decision for years as sources make a shock Magassa claim.
It is being claimed in France that West Ham could consider selling Magassa just six months into his Hammers career.
West Ham on verge of worst transfer decision for years after shock Magassa claim
Given it is the January transfer window, Hammers fans might be hoping it is just another rumour that can be consigned to the rubbish bin.
But in this case the sources of the information should cause grave concern.
What would YOU say to Antonio Conte if he made a bid for Soungoutou Magassa?
Napoli are keen on the West Ham midfielder
Because the story is coming from leading French journalistic duo Santi Aouna and Sebastien Denis of Foot Mercato.
West Ham fans who follow transfer news during windows will be well aware of the duo, who have called a host of deals – including the signing of Lucas Paqueta – before anyone else down the years.
Magassa was recently linked with a surprise move to Napoli.
They say there is no smoke without fire and the rumours aren’t going away.
Now Aouna and Denis claim Milan, Juventus and Galatasaray are all vying to try and sign Magassa.
Incredibly, it is claimed there may be a chance for one of those clubs to sign Magassa on an initial loan with an option or obligation to buy in the summer.
Quite what West Ham are thinking if they really are considering selling Magassa is anyone’s guess.
He is comfortably one of the best value signings the Hammers have made for years.
Hammers must see sense and keep Magassa
His potential is huge and it feels like West Ham have only scraped the surface of it so far.
It is not the first time Magassa has been linked with a move away from West Ham during his short spell at the London Stadium.
Magassa stated he has enjoyed his time at West Ham so far when speaking at the end of November.
Whether the fact he is in and out of the side under Nuno has changed that remains to be seen.
But fans can maybe take heart from the fact Nuno made a big statement about Magassa’s West Ham future when he was last linked with a move away.
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