By Emeka Blast 
West Ham Eye Double Midfield Boost in Transfer Market
London, UK – West Ham United are in the final sprint of the summer transfer window, with manager Graham Potter on the verge of securing key midfield reinforcements to bolster a struggling squad. With the Hammers winless in their opening three Premier League matches, conceding 11 goals, the club is close to finalizing a £40m deal for Southampton’s Mateus Fernandes and a £17.3m move for AS Monaco’s Soungoutou Magassa, while pursuing Nottingham Forest’s Ibrahim Sangare, according to multiple reports.
The most advanced transfer is for 21-year-old Portuguese midfielder Mateus Fernandes, who is undergoing a medical in London after West Ham agreed a £40m package with Southampton, including add-ons, per CrunchSports. Fernandes, a versatile playmaker capable of operating as a deep-lying or attacking midfielder, was a standout despite Southampton’s relegation last season. The deal marks West Ham’s sixth signing of the summer, following Jean-Clair Todibo, El Hadji Malick Diouf, and others, as Potter seeks to address a midfield lacking creativity after a 5-1 thrashing by Chelsea.
West Ham are also nearing completion of a €20m (£17.3m) deal for Monaco’s 21-year-old French midfielder Soungoutou Magassa, with only a medical pending, according to The Guardian and OneFootball. Magassa, a versatile France U21 international who can play midfield or centre-back, fended off late interest from Nottingham Forest after Potter personally convinced him to join. The Guardian credits West Ham’s recruitment chief, Kyle Macaulay, for sealing the deal, which is seen as a coup for a side desperate for energy and athleticism.
Additionally, Sky Sports reports West Ham’s exploration of a loan deal with an obligation to buy for Nottingham Forest’s 27-year-old Ivory Coast defensive midfielder Ibrahim Sangare. This move aims to replace Edson Alvarez, who joined Fenerbahce on loan, and address defensive frailties exposed in recent matches.
Potter’s urgent push for reinforcements follows a torrid start to the 2025-26 campaign, with losses to Sunderland, Chelsea, and Wolverhampton Wanderers. Club legend Dean Ashton criticized the “shoddy” recruitment strategy, arguing that signings haven’t aligned with Potter’s possession-based philosophy, per CrunchSports. The club’s earlier bids for Southampton’s Fernandes (£30m, rejected) and Barcelona’s Marc Casadó, alongside a failed approach for Chelsea’s Andrey Santos, highlight a frantic scramble, as noted by SCCG Management.
The Magassa deal faced complications from Eintracht Frankfurt’s late interest, while budgetary constraints linger after failing to secure a permanent exit for Alvarez, per Football Today. West Ham are also eyeing Bayer Leverkusen’s Aleix Garcia (£18m) and Lille’s Angel Gomes (free transfer), according to Football Whispers and EPL Index, but these remain less advanced.
Fan and Pundit Reactions
The transfer buzz has sparked cautious optimism among fans, with X posts like @WestHamViews_ praising Fernandes’ “ball-carrying ability” and Magassa’s “athleticism.” However, some, like @HammersChat, expressed concerns about the club’s slow market moves, tweeting, “Why does it always feel like we’re chasing deals at the last minute?” Pundits on Sky Sports noted that Fernandes and Magassa could provide the creativity and steel needed ahead of tough fixtures against Nottingham Forest, Tottenham, and Arsenal.
With the transfer window closing on September 1, West Ham’s focus is on finalizing these deals to turn around their season. Fernandes’ imminent arrival and Magassa’s expected signing could provide a much-needed boost, while Sangare’s potential addition would shore up the defensive midfield. As Potter battles mounting pressure, these reinforcements may prove pivotal in steering the Hammers away from a relegation scrap.
