Report claims West Ham have set Soungoutou Magassa price-tag already after Napoli approach
Soungoutou Magassa certainly did not sound like a man ready to turn his back on West Ham United, give up on his Premier League dream, and begin a new life at Serie A champions Napoli.
Only three months after the France Under-21 international completed an initial £14 million move from Monaco to the London Stadium, questions are already being asked about his future.
Reports in Italy claimed in midweek that Napoli have approached West Ham to enquire about the midfielder’s availability ahead of the January transfer window.
Antonio Conte’s midfield options look scarce right now, that is for sure. Andre Franck Zambo Anguissa, Billy Gilmour and Kevin de Bruyne are all unavailable due to injury issues. Speaking before the 2-0 Champions league victory over Qarabag, Conte claimed that he had only two fit central midfielders; Stanislav Lobotka and Scott McTominay.
But Soungoutou Magassa wasted little time in pledging his commitment to West Ham United in the aftermath of those rather unexpected rumours.
Yet, not to be deterred, Il Mattino have not only doubled down on their initial reports, they have now provided even more details about Napoli’s pursuit and an alleged response from East London.
Photo by Vince Mignott/MB Media/Getty Images
West Ham United reportedly value Napoli target Soungoutou Magassa at £15m
Il Mattino, the Neapolitan-based publication who first reported Napoli’s supposed interest, now clarify things a little.
They say that Soungoutou Magassa is actually Napoli’s second-choice midfield target heading into the window. Their priority is still to reunite Kobbie Mainoo with Rasmus Hojlund and the aforementioned McTominay at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.
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Il Mattino go on to claim that West Ham have actually told Napoli the fee that would be looking for if they were to part with Magassa only a few months into a long-term contract. The Hammers reportedly value the midfielder at £15 million.
This, though, should be taken with a pinch of salt large enough to season an entire day’s worth of McDonalds fries.
Nuno Espirito Santo is predicting a bright future for Magassa
Why would West Ham let Magassa go so soon? By his own admission, Magassa needs time to adapt to Premier League football. And, while game time has been fairly limited, Nuno Espirito Santo talked up the former Monaco starlet following an eye-catching cameo off the bench against Burnley a few weeks back.
“Arriving in the Premier League, for any player, it is really difficult to adapt. To show all these things, it takes time,” Nuno said.
“We have a lot of situations like that [of Magassa], with players who we need to be patient with. But at the same time, [we need] to recognise their quality and talent that is there for us to exploit.”
“We have a lot of good options and the boys are doing well. [Against Burnley], Magassa had fresh legs, his energy helped the team in the middle of the park.
“It is about trying to find the combinations we need.”
Frenchman desperate to make his mark but Mads Hermansen could leave already
Speaking to West Ham’s Instagram before Sunday’s clash with a beleaguered Liverpool, Magassa confirmed that the plan remains for him to keep plugging away at Rush Green.
“I’ve been welcomed by a very good team with a very good staff, and I’m very happy to be here at West Ham,” Magassa said.
“Everyone has helped me on a daily basis. London has been good for me, and I’m working hard to adapt, improve and show the fans what I’m capable of.
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“I feel very good. It’s a family club that has welcomed me very well… I’m taking English classes regularly and feel more confident, and I feel as if it’s going very well.
“I’m trying to improve and integrate as best I can.”
Now, it should be said that another of last summer’s signings is already fighting for his future.
Hammers News can confirm that West Ham would ‘cash in’ on Mads Hermansen if given the chance to recoup much of that £18 million investment. It is currently difficult to imagine they would consider taking the same stance with Magassa though.
Especially as, behind Freddie Potts and Mateus Fernandes, this is not a Hammers side overloaded with athletic, young midfield options.
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