Soungoutou Magassa has decided between West Ham and Nottingham Forest amid an uncomfortable situation unfolding has forced the talented midfield star into a corner.
West Ham and Nottingham Forest are making all the headlines so far in the new Premier League season.
After two dismal defeats in their opening two games, West Ham boss Graham Potter looked nailed on to be the first Premier League manager sacked this season.
But a major fallout at Nottingham Forest between Nuno Espirito Santo, owner Evangelos Marinakis and sporting director Edu has seen the Portuguese jump to the front of that particular queue.
The Hammers have officially made the worst start to a season in Premier League history, shipping eight goals in 3-0 and 5-1 defeats to Sunderland and Chelsea.
Nottingham Forest picked up where they left off from their brilliant season last term as they beat Brentford 3-1 in the opening weekend.
West Ham and Forest making early Premier League headlines
Espirito Santo has spoken out about a lack of signings and has now admitted his relationship with Marinakis is in tatters, with a host of outlets reporting he is now on the verge of being sacked.
If Espirito Santo is unhappy over big-spending Forest’s dealings, imagine how Potter feels.
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The Hammers are relegation candidates on the evidence so far and Potter’s squad is well short of the quality required to survive.
With Espirito Santo reportedly on the verge of being sacked and the Greek said to be eyeing two alleged Hammers targets, Forest are forcing West Ham chief David Sullivan into the biggest decision of his tenure.
On the pitch, West Ham’s big problem – for the last 19 months – has been central midfield.
Nottingham Forest head coach Nuno Espirito Santo embraces Graham Potter, manager of West Ham United, during the Premier League match between the Hammers and Forest at the London Stadium on May 18, 2025
Photo by Jon Hobley | MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images
The Hammers failed miserably to replace what Declan Rice brought to the side with the £105m they received from Arsenal.
West Ham have, inexplicably, left sorting their midfield issue until last this summer.
With the pressure on to bring midfielders in, the Irons have been linked with no fewer than 13 players in the last 48 hours.
Forest have already signed two top West Ham targets in the shape of James McAtee and Douglas Luiz.
Now they are trying to hijack another.
Magassa chooses between West Ham and Forest amid awkward situation
And it seems Soungoutou Magassa has chosen between West Ham and Nottingham Forest due to the uncomfortable situation unfolding.
With Edson Alvarez loaned out to Fenerbahce, West Ham launched a move for young Monaco midfielder Magassa.
Reports from leading sources such as Fabrizio Romano claimed on Friday that the Hammers were ‘closing in’ on Magassa.
Romano stated a deal was at an advanced stage for £15m plus £2.5m in add-ons.
🚨⚒️ Understand West Ham official bid to AS Monaco for Soungoutou Magassa is worth €17m plus €3m add-ons.
Negotiations advancing. pic.twitter.com/xCVXZo3wEB
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 22, 2025
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France Under 21 midfielder Soungoutou Magassa in action for AS Monaco
Photo by Jonathan Moscrop/Getty Images
Graeme Bailey also claimed the Hammers were advancing in their hopes of luring Magassa to east London.
There was a dramatic twist overnight, though.
Nottingham Forest swooped to make their own move for Magassa.
It gave the French Under 21 star, who can also play at centre-back, a difficult choice to make.
Does he join West Ham, who look set for a season-long relegation battle and potential demotion to the Championship, with the manager who is signing him on the brink of being axed?
The pro to a London Stadium move being that Magassa would clearly be a guaranteed starter week in, week out.
Or does he join Forest, who are also said to be on the verge of sacking their manager, where he will face serious competition to get game time?
Boost for Forest as Hammers crisis puts Magassa off move
It seems events of last night – where West Ham were obliterated live on TV by Chelsea – may have helped make Magassa’s mind up.
Foot Mercato claims Monaco and Magassa have rejected West Ham.
And now Nottingham Forest have ‘taken charge’ of the situation with an improved offer which – crucially – has not been rejected by Monaco.
It is claimed Magassa is now on course to join Forest over the Hammers in a crushing new low for the east Londoners.
Hammers News put the Magassa claims – among several other questions – to the top spokesman for West Ham’s owners.
But the response, perhaps damningly, avoided addressing the Magassa question directly.
And Hammers News understands, from a separate leading transfer source, that West Ham have already moved on to other targets.