Mark Noble reportedly wanted West Ham United to sign one of the more underrated midfield prospects in European football this month. A midfield prospect who, on deadline day, is set to become a Marseille player instead.
While West Ham look set to sign Axel Disasi from Chelsea before Monday’s 7pm deadline, that is likely to be the beginning and the end of any last-gasp business at the London Stadium.
Goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky is staying at Tottenham. The prospect of a new midfielder arriving to fill the boots of the recently-departed Guido Rodriguez and James Ward-Prowse looks extremely unlikely at this stage as well.
If you had to rate this signing between 1 and 5, what would you go for? 🤔
We're closing in on a defender, but is he the right one?! 👀
A graphic showing Axel Disasi being set for a medical at West Ham ahead of a loan move from Chelsea.
Credit: Getty Images/ Harry Murphy – Danehouse
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West Ham United‘s former captain and now-sporting director Mark Noble reportedly recommended Tochukwu Nnadi after seeing the 22-year-old in action for Belgian outfit Zulte Waregem.
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Tochuwku Nnadi is joining Marseille despite Mark Noble’s West Ham United attempt
According to Africa Foot in December, the Hammers were considering an offer in the region of £3.5 million. Why such an offer never materialised is, as yet, uncertain.
Marseille now appear destined to sign the Nigeria international relatively unopposed, Nnadi arriving in France to undergo a medical and put pen to paper on a long-term deal with Roberto de Zerbi’s side.
Zulte Waregem's Nigerian midfielder Tochukwu Nnadi
Photo by BRUNO FAHY/Belga/AFP via Getty Images
“I am happy to be here,” Nnadi told L’Equipe after touching down in Marseille. “It’s my first day in France. I want to play football and fight for this team.”
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The team sitting third in Ligue 1 are expected to sign Nnadi for just £5 million.
Interestingly, Nnadi likened himself to N’Golo Kante and Moises Caicedo recently. Much to Noble’s presumed frustration, West Ham are allowing a fierce, uber-aggressive ball-winner to slip through their fingers for a sixth of the fee they paid Southampton for Ward-Prowse two years ago.
Alpha Toure of Metz was linked but Hammers look set to go without a midfield signing
Pretend YOU call the shots – who are you signing on Deadline Day?! 🤑
Feel free to name one REALISTIC target and one DREAM addition 😂
A graphic asking West Ham fans to name their ideal signing on deadline day.
Credit: Getty Images/Christian Bruna
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Earlier in the month, L’Equipe reported that that West Ham had offered £6 million for Alpha Toure of FC Metz as well. Toure, too, is set to spend the second half of the campaign on French soil.
“Personally, I haven’t seen any information circulating,” Toure told Republicain Lorrain a fortnight ago, in response to those West Ham rumours. “After that, I’m focused on my football. I’m at Metz and I’m concentrating on the club.
“The rest is up to my agent to handle.”
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