Following Edson Alvarez's move to Fenerbahce on loan, West Ham United have reportedly submitted an opening offer to sign an instant replacement in the form of a 6 foot 2 midfielder.
Alvarez completes Fenerbahce move
After just two years at the London Stadium, Alvarez has completed a loan move to join Jose Mourinho's Fenerbahce. The Hammers were reportedly keen to clear his hefty £100,000-a-week salary off their wage bill to make room for further, much-needed recruits, and have seemingly managed to do exactly that courtesy of the Turkish club.
With room to maneuver following the midfielder's departure, the Hammers could be an interesting club to watch as the deadline approaches. It was clear for all to see against Sunderland on the opening day that Graham Potter still needs a number of reinforcements, but whether West Ham have time to welcome those additions is another question entirely.
The West Ham boss told reporters when questioned about transfers this week: “We need a few silver bullets, not just one. We analyse where we think the improvements can be and then we have to try to work within the financial position of the club to make the right decision to bring the right player and the right person here.
Edson Alvarez.
Edson Alvarez.
"If I look historically, West Ham have spent money, have signed players. Signing players is easy. It doesn’t mean that they’re going to be the right ones."
With less than two weeks until the transfer window closes, there remain several targets on West Ham's reported radar. Names such as Jamie Vardy and Artem Dovbyk have been among those mentioned as of late, although it's unclear whether the Hammers push on to secure either of their arrivals.
Instead, their focus seems to be set on finding an instant replacement for Alvarez this month.
West Ham submit first Magassa offer
According to Jacob Steinberg of The Guardian, West Ham have now submitted an opening offer to sign Soungoutou Magassa from AS Monaco this month. The 6'2 midfielder has reportedly been identified as a replacement for Alavrez and also very much represents a player whose best is yet to come at just 21 years old.
A defensive midfielder who would also offer Potter an extra centre-back option, Magassa was described as someone with a "really exciting raw profile" by analyst Ben Mattinson, who also praised his passing range.
Given that he's already got Champions League experience to his name at such a young age on top of that "exciting" profile, West Ham would be landing an undeniable gem if they managed to sign Magassa in the next two weeks.