Overview

• West Ham have lodged a formal opening offer for 21-year-old Soungoutou Magassa, with multiple reports putting the bid at €17m plus €3m in add-ons.
• Magassa is a France international who came through Monaco’s academy and made 31 appearances last season in a combative defensive midfield role.
• Álvarez’s expected loan to Fenerbahçe is advancing, creating space for West Ham to reinforce the centre of midfield.
• The club plan to recruit two midfielders before the window closes, with any move for Magassa separate from their pursuit of Southampton’s Mateus Fernandes.
• West Ham are also tracking alternatives, including Djaoui Cissé, Romano Schmid, Quinten Timber, Kenneth Taylor and Ivan Ilic, as negotiations continue.