Key Points
- West Ham United have agreed a deal with AS Monaco to sign 21-year-old midfielder Soungoutou Magassa for an initial €17 million (£14.7m) plus €3 million in add-ons, including a 10% sell-on clause.
- Magassa is expected to travel to London to undergo a medical ahead of signing a six-year contract with West Ham before the September 1 transfer deadline.
- The versatile midfielder, who can also operate as a centre-back, has made 57 senior appearances for Monaco, scoring once in the Champions League.
- Magassa was part of the France U21 team and won a silver medal with France at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
- West Ham are prioritising this signing to strengthen their midfield amid a disappointing start under manager Graham Potter, who has lost the first two Premier League matches by 8-1.
- Following the loan exit of Edson Alvarez, West Ham’s midfield options have been thinned, making Magassa a critical addition.
- The deal is reported by multiple sources including Sports Mole, Get Football News France (GFFN), West Ham Zone, and others, with details confirmed by journalist Fabrizio Romano and Santi Aouna.
What is the status of the West Ham deal for Soungoutou Magassa from Monaco?
As reported by journalist Fabrizio Romano and Santi Aouna on Sports Mole, West Ham United have agreed a transfer deal with Ligue 1 club AS Monaco to sign midfielder Soungoutou Magassa for an initial €17 million (£14.7 million) plus €3 million in add-ons. The deal also includes a 10% sell-on clause. Sources indicate that Magassa is due to travel to London imminently to undergo a medical examination, with West Ham hopeful of concluding the deal before the close of the summer transfer window on September 1, 2025.
The signing is seen as a priority for West Ham as they look to strengthen a midfield that has struggled, especially after the departure on loan of Edson Alvarez to Fenerbahce recently. The deal is expected to be formalised with the player signing a six-year contract once the medical is completed successfully.
Who is Soungoutou Magassa?
According to Sports Mole and Get Football News France (GFFN), Soungoutou Magassa was born in Stains, a northern suburb of Paris, and joined AS Monaco’s academy before signing his first professional contract in April 2021. The 6ft 2in midfielder is known for his versatility, capable of playing both as a deep-lying midfielder and as a centre-back. He made his senior debut for Monaco in January 2022 and has since accumulated 57 first-team appearances across all competitions.
Magassa scored his first senior goal in a Champions League group-stage match against Benfica last season. He was part of the Monaco squad that finished third in Ligue 1 in the 2024-25 season, helping them qualify for the UEFA Champions League group stage for the 2025-26 season. Internationally, Magassa has been capped seven times by the France Under-21 team and won a silver medal at the 2024 Olympic Games held in Paris, where France lost to Spain in the final.
Why is West Ham keen on Magassa, and how does this affect their current squad?
As highlighted by West Ham Zone and Sports Mole, West Ham’s manager Graham Potter is under significant pressure after the team suffered a poor start to the 2025-26 Premier League season, losing their opening two matches by a combined scoreline of 8-1. The club’s midfield has been notably depleted following Edson Alvarez’s loan departure, increasing the urgency to sign Magassa.
Magassa is regarded as a box-to-box midfielder with defensive prowess, offering qualities such as blocking throughballs and protecting the defence, which are attributes West Ham desperately need after conceding heavily in their first matches. His consistency is seen as a potential upgrade compared to Alvarez, especially in defensive areas, with stats showcasing comparable passing accuracy and progressive passing.
The Frenchman’s flexibility to also cover as a centre-back adds tactical options for Graham Potter. The club intends to integrate Magassa quickly, with the possibility of him starting in upcoming league fixtures, including the next game against Nottingham Forest.
What are the financial and contractual details of the transfer?
Multiple sources including journalist Fabrizio Romano (via Sports Mole) and reports from Foot Mercato and L’Équipe (cited by GFFN) confirm the deal’s structure: an initial fee of €17 million with a further €3 million in potential add-ons, making the total value approximately €20 million (£17 million). A 10% sell-on clause benefits Monaco for any future transfers involving Magassa.
The duration of the contract being offered is six years, indicating West Ham’s long-term belief in the player’s potential and their intent to secure his services beyond immediate needs.
How have different media outlets reported on this transfer?
- As per journalist Fabrizio Romano on Sports Mole, the agreement has been reached, and medical arrangements are underway.
- Foot Mercato and L’Équipe, cited by Get Football News France, have reported the deal at €20 million with personal terms agreed.
- West Ham Zone, authored by Henry Green, emphasizes the urgency of the signing amid West Ham’s poor season start and managerial pressure on Graham Potter.
- TalkSPORT broke the news confirming that West Ham are closing in on the signing.
- Social media reports and football insiders such as Santi Aouna and Ben Jacobs have corroborated the financial and contractual details.
- Yahoo Sports and GiveMeSport describe Magassa’s signing as a significant step to bolster the squad with a ‘Champions League beast.’
What impact could Magassa have at West Ham?
Given his recent performances at Monaco and international level, Magassa’s arrival at West Ham is expected to provide much-needed solidity and versatility in midfield. His defensive instincts and ball-playing abilities make him a suitable candidate to help shore up West Ham’s fragilities seen in the early matches of the season.
Additionally, his young age (21 years) and long contract suggest that West Ham view him as a key part of their rebuild and future strategy. With Champions League experience, Magassa adds valuable European competition exposure to a West Ham squad aiming to improve results domestically and in continental football.
