West Ham close to €20m deal for Soungoutou Magassa from Monaco

West Ham United are on the verge of signing AS Monaco midfielder Soungoutou Magassa, with journalist Nicolo Schira reporting that the Hammers are ready to pay €20 million to secure the 20-year-old’s services. The deal would see Magassa sign a contract until June 2030, signalling David Sullivan’s intent to future-proof the club’s midfield.

According to French outlet L’Equipe and transfer expert Schira, Monaco are open to cashing in as Magassa still has four years left on his current deal. The Ligue 1 side have been reshaping their midfield options, and the player’s strong performances have attracted attention across Europe.

For West Ham, who opened their Premier League campaign with concerns about depth in the middle of the pitch, Magassa’s profile fits perfectly. Calm under pressure, secure in possession, and defensively reliable — the Frenchman looks like the type of anchor Potter has been seeking to stabilise his system. Could this be the long-term solution to West Ham’s midfield conundrum?

Magassa’s game centres on defensive control and intelligent positional play. He thrives in deep zones, breaking up opposition rhythm, recovering possession, and progressing the ball with composure. His passing range — from short build-up sequences to sweeping switches — allows him to stretch opposition shapes and keep West Ham ticking in possession.

At 20 years old, his ceiling is enormous. While his aerial ability remains a weakness for his size and he rarely contributes in the final third, his role as a midfield anchor frees up advanced players like James Ward-Prowse and Lucas Paquetá to focus on creation.

By FootballPlace analyst John William

Magassa is a signing that makes complete sense for West Ham. In Potter’s system, he projects as a single pivot who will allow the team to transition quickly while offering defensive security. From reviewing his last three matches for Monaco, it’s clear he times his recoveries with outstanding intelligence — often regaining control seconds after turnovers.

While not the most dynamic in the final third, his disruptive presence and tactical intelligence should be valued higher than raw attacking numbers. He gives West Ham balance, something they’ve lacked when relying too heavily on Paquetá and Ward-Prowse to both create and control games.

Talks between West Ham and Monaco are expected to accelerate this week, with the Hammers keen to finalise paperwork before the window closes. If all goes to plan, Magassa could undergo his medical in London within days.

The Frenchman’s arrival would mark West Ham’s second major midfield reinforcement of the summer, and could influence potential departures in the squad. Fans will be watching closely to see if he’s registered in time for the Hammers’ upcoming clash against Nottingham Forest.

Should West Ham finalise Magassa’s signing now — or risk losing him to another Premier League rival?