If Mateus Fernandes’ arrival in Friday morning gave the starving West Ham United supporters a tasty appetiser, then dessert arrived later in the day in the shape of former Monaco starlet Soungoutou Magassa.
Some eleven hours after Graham Potter welcomed Mateus Fernandes to the London Stadium – the ex- Southampton dynamo feels he is a ‘good fit’ for a midfield crying out for an injection of fresh blood and youth exuberance – another 21-year-old was putting pen to paper.
And while West Ham moved into pole position a week ago, their pursuit of Soungoutou Magassa was not short of obstacles.
Nottingham Forest – Sunday’s opponents at the City Ground – made a move of their own. Eintracht Frankfurt tried to hi-jack the Hammers not once but twice.
So the reaction to the news that Magassa has now officially completed his move from Monaco to West Ham United may predominantly be greeted by a sigh of relief.
New West Ham United signing Soungoutou Magassa posing for AS Monaco Portraits - UEFA Champions League 2025/26
Photo by Francesco Scaccianoce – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images
Graham Potter explains why West Ham United signed Soungoutou Magassa from Monaco
West Ham are in gloating mood.
While unveiling their sixth summer addition on Friday night, the club’s official website were keen to claim that ‘the Hammers won the race to sign Paris-born Magassa ahead of a number of leading European clubs’.
Frankfurt being one of course. Nottingham Forest will be playing continental football themselves this term, while Italian giants Roma were also linked.
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Graham Potter highlighted Mateus Fernandes’ ‘quality’ as well as his ‘desire [and] personality’ during his Friday press conference. And, when welcoming Magassa to the English capital, the much-maligned manager was just as keen to highlight the 2024 Olympic silver medalist’s mental strengths as well as his on-pitch characteristics.
“We are very happy to welcome Soungoutou to West Ham United,” Potter begins. “Like Mateus Fernandes, he is a young player who has made very impressive progress right at the start of his senior career.
“He has played regularly for Monaco over the past two seasons, including in the Champions League last year, and stood up really well to that test.
“Again, he has a range of attributes and qualities that we feel will complement what we already have at the club and also help to improve us.
“Soungoutou is a determined, hungry and focused young man – we are looking forward to working with him and excited to see him continue his development with us.”
Graham Potter during Crystal Palace v Chelsea FC - Premier League
Photo by Paul Harding/Getty Images
Magassa explains why he chose West Ham over Nottingham Forest and Eintracht Frankfurt
Hammers News understands that West Ham view Magassa as a replacement for Edson Alvarez, following the Mexican’s switch to Fenerbahce.
The London giants made a good impression on Magassa when he went head-to-head with Freddie Potts and co during a Premier League International Cup clash back in February 2023. So, when the Hammers came calling, he needed little convincing even if European football was on offer elsewhere.
“I’m very happy to be here,” Magassa smiles. “West Ham is a very big club. It has a long-standing history in England, with many supporters and a very big stadium. It wasn’t complicated to say ‘yes’.
“It’s a dream to play for West Ham in the Premier League. It’s the best league in the world. I’m going to do everything I can to show that I’m up to the task.
“It gives me great pride to play for this club. I’m really motivated, I hope to bring freshness and youth and I’m going to give my all on the pitch.”