Pablo Fornals set for West Ham axe after deal agreed - pundit

Maxwel Cornet will walk straight into the West Ham starting XI, according to Gabby Agbonlahor.

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Aston Villa and England attacker claimed Cornet will take Pablo Fornals' place on the left-hand side of the West Ham attack.

The 25-year-old completed a £17.5million from Burnley last week (5 August) but was not registered in time for the 2-0 loss to Man City on Sunday (7 August).

He was introduced to the London Stadium crowd at half-time as Fornals started on the left of David Moyes' front three.

"It adds competition for places," Agbonlahor told Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley.

"[Michail] Antonio wasn't at it at the weekend and he came off after 57 minutes for [Gianluca] Scamacca.

"If Bowen's not at it then he can bring him off for Cornet. Fornals, [Said] Benrahma, [Manuel] Lanzini aren't on it on that left-hand side, you need competition for places and last season there wasn't.

"You've got to have competition for places so everyone is bang at it. In the next game, Antonio might not start and that's what David Moyes will want, competition for places so everyone knows they have to play well.

"I think he's a very good player. He will be one that, for me, will break into that team and start instead of Fornals on the left-hand side."

Cornet scored nine times and provided an assist in 26 Premier League games, including 21 starts, last season for Burnley.

He has signed a six-year contract at the London Stadium.

In other news, an Everton star has told his friends his West Ham transfer plan.