West Ham face Soungoutou Magassa hijack despite medical completion
Graham Potter could be set for further transfer frustrations as Soungoutou Magassa’s move to West Ham takes a fresh twist.
Potter is already under immense pressure from West Ham fans, with the Hammers losing their first three games of the 2025/26 campaign in the Premier League and Carabao Cup.
The former Brighton and Chelsea figure has not been backed fairly in the summer transfer market, with only Mads Hermansen and El Hadji Malick Diouf arriving on transfer fees.
Callum Wilson, Daniel Cummings, and Kyle Walker-Peters have also arrived, but few of these signings have created any excitement at the London Stadium, with the manager still requiring a clear-out of the squad.
West Ham could also lose Lucas Paqueta amid interest from multiple Premier League teams this summer, which would leave the Irons even more depleted of options in the middle of the park.
Now, a new twist has emerged in what appeared to be a done deal for Monaco’s Magassa.
Eintracht Frankfurt enter the race for Soungoutou Magassa
Taking to X (27 August), Foot Mercato’s Santi Aouna wrote: “Frankfurt are attempting to hijack Soungoutou Magassa’s deal with West Ham.
“Despite a full agreement between the parties, Frankfurt are trying their luck with a loan including a mandatory purchase option. Magassa has already passed his medical in London. Magassa is now very tempted to join Frankfurt.”
Guido Rodriguez has failed to adapt to the Premier League, and with Edson Alvarez leaving for Fenerbahce, Magassa is a much-needed signing for the middle of the park.
Graham Potter edges closer to West Ham sack
Football Insider verdict
Potter is facing growing pressure at West Ham, Football Insider understands, leaving David Sullivan and Karren Brady with a decision to make on his future as first-team head coach.
He has now just won five of his 22 matches in charge, unable to change his fortunes from his first few months at the London Stadium, with his side now sitting bottom of the Premier League table.
Being knocked out of the Carabao Cup by Wolves has also added salt to the wounds, and it remains to be seen just how much longer he will be given to turn things around in East London.
The signing of Soungoutou, while it would not have solved every problem he is currently facing, would have added a much-needed figure to the middle of the park, where his team is often overrun.
At just 21 years of age, he already has 57 senior appearances for Monaco and played a key role in France Under-21s’ Euro campaign in Slovakia over the summer.
Potter’s side continue to be linked with midfielders all across Europe, but with Magassa now being tipped to join Frankfurt in the Bundesliga instead, the Hammers appear to be back to square one.