West Ham United will not, it seems, be signing a new midfielder on transfer deadline day despite the departures of both Guido Rodriguez and James Ward-Prowse.
Metz starlet Alpha Toure played down speculation linking him with a move to the Premier League outfit earlier in the window.
And Zulte Waregam’s all-action Nigerian Tochukwu Nnadi has arrived in Marseille despite reports claiming that former captain-turned-sporting director Mark Noble wanted the Belgian league battler at West Ham United.
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So, although Axel Disasi looks set to arrive from Chelsea to reinforce Nuno Espirito Santo’s leaky defence, the Hammers will have only four first-team midfielders between now and the end of May.
Five, if you count young Mohamadou Kante.
Scott Parker lured James Ward-Prowse to Burnley, ahead of Saturday’s clash between the two relegation zone occupiers at Turf Moor. Former Real Betis ace Guido Rodriguez returned to Spain with Valencia, meanwhile, after West Ham agreed to terminate his contract.
Guido Rodriguez’s Valencia move hailed as midfielder escapes West Ham United
Guido Rodriguez during West Ham United v Queens Park Rangers - Emirates FA Cup Third Round
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Speaking to Valencia’s in-house media channels, one of Rodriguez’s old teammates puts a difficult spell in England down to a lack of regular game time.
“I shared three years with him at Real Betis,” says former right-back Martin Montoya. “He surprised me in a very positive way. Within the green-and-white side, he was one of the pillars of the team that always managed to qualify for the UEFA Europa League.
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“He is a very positional player; he presses, runs, puts pressure on, won a lot of balls and helps the defence. In attack, on the ball, he is a footballer with a lot of technique and that has been proven.
“At West Ham United, he hasn’t had the continuity to show the football [quality] he has.”
Rodriguez started only 18 Premier League matches. Just two of those came in 2025/26, and one under Nuno.
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A graphic showing Axel Disasi being set for a medical at West Ham ahead of a loan move from Chelsea.
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Montoya expects the Argentina international to make a big impact both on and off the pitch at a Valencia side reliant upon a talented core of youngsters.
“He is going to be very good for Valencia CF because of his experience. He is a top player,” adds the Barcelona academy graduate. “He is one of the best defensive midfielders in La Liga.
“As a person, he is a very calm lad, very nice and without ego. I’m very happy that he has signed for a club as big as Valencia CF.”
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