Whether West Ham thought they were in the box seat to land midfield target Soungoutou Magassa from Monaco before last nights London Stadium fixture or not – is not yet clear.
The Hammers had made a bid of €16million plus add ons yesterday, as reported, which was rejected by AS Monaco. The Hammers offer of a six year deal to the player seemed to be accepted but of course- in the transfer window, dealing with a player’s representatives is only part of the art of successful negotiation.
No deal was in place with Monaco: In any case the excitement was short-lived as on-field failure took centre stage and by the time the game was finished there was a new development which, reported today, will add further misery to fans and club officials alike.
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The player himself appears to be heading to Nottingham Forest who have increased their bid whilst West Ham flounder – and indeed appear to have shrugged their shoulders and moved on in an admission of defeat for the signature of the livewire midfielder.
As reported in footmercato.net, “Nottingham Forest makes a new offer for Soungoutou Magassa-According to our latest [sources] the Tricky Trees have put 17 million euros fixed on the table.”
Other outlets today claim also that the player has already chosen Nottingham Forest – even in their current crisis with a small ‘c’ – over a move to east London. If that is true, I can’t say I blame him, to honest. European football or a brutal relegation dogfight.
For what it’s worth, we hear that West Ham insiders appear to suggest that yesterday’s Fabrizio Romano’s reporting that West Ham were launching bids for the player were a little over-egged.
Whatever. “He said, she said.” End result is another big fat zero. Like me, most West Ham fans are now beyond caring who did what, where, when or why: They just demand change.
10 days to go. ‘Next”.