Soungoutou Magassa has made a dramatic U-turn on his proposed Nottingham Forest move as West Ham get the ‘here we go’ transfer breakthrough from Fabrizio Romano.
Hammers boss Graham Potter is in line for a much-needed boost amid breaking news from France and Nottingham Forest.
After midweek League Cup duties, West Ham head to Nottingham Forest next in the Premier League for what already looks a crucial match for Potter.
The Hammers have made their worst ever start to a Premier League season with heavy defeats to Sunderland and Chelsea and sit bottom of the fledgling table with a minus seven goal difference.
Hammers looked set to miss out to Forest again
Nuno Espirito Santo’s Nottingham Forest have picked up where they left off during their jaw-dropping campaign last season by picking up four points from their opening two matches.
That’s despite a major fallout at the City Ground involving Espirito Santo, Edu and owner Evangelos Marinakis.
Not that it has stopped Forest signing players.
While West Ham have struggled badly to rebuild Potter’s team, Forest have been blitzing the transfer market once again.
Photo by Jon Hobley | MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images
That includes luring reported Hammers targets James McAtee and Douglas Luiz to Nottingham Forest last week.
Marinakis looked set to pour salt in Potter’s wounds when it was revealed Nottingham Forest were set to beat West Ham to Soungoutou Magassa.
Reports from leading sources such as Fabrizio Romano claimed on Friday that West Ham were ‘closing in’ on AS Monaco midfield star Magassa.
Romano reported a deal was at an advanced stage for £15m plus £2.5m in add-ons.
Football correspondent Graeme Bailey also claimed the Hammers were advancing in their hopes of luring Magassa to the London Stadium.
But Nottingham Forest swooped to make their own move for Magassa on Saturday.
Magassa makes stunning U-turn on Forest move for West Ham
That gave the French Under 21 star, who can also play at centre-back, a difficult choice to make.
But word from France was that Magassa was set to choose Forest after West Ham were battered by Chelsea.
Now Magassa has made a stunning U-turn on his Nottingham Forest move as West Ham get the ‘here we go’.
Edson Alvarez became the ninth player to leave West Ham last week with Guido Rodriguez and Emerson Palmieri set to make that 11 this week.
Potter’s squad in its current state is nowhere near good enough to survive in the Premier League.
But help is finally on the way in what is arguably the best news of the window to date for the Hammers.
Photo by Jonathan Moscrop/Getty ImagesWest Ham get ‘here we go’ on Magassa move
Romano has given his trademark ‘here we go’ seal of approval on Magassa joining West Ham.
He says a deal has been agreed with AS Monaco for £15m plus £2.5m in add-ons and a 10 per cent sell on clause.
West Ham are now arranging Magassa’s flight to London for his medical.
🚨⚒️ Soungoutou Magassa to West Ham, here we go! Deal agreed with AS Monaco.
€17m fixed fee, €3m add-ons and 10% sell-on clause also included.#WHUFC scheduling now travel and medical for Magassa – follows @Santi_J_FM. pic.twitter.com/bMAbYuYun0
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 26, 2025
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In a further ironic twist, Magassa could make his West Ham debut this weekend against – you guessed it – Nottingham Forest.
Given how woeful West Ham have looked in central midfield for some time now, Magassa could go straight into the team.
Although Potter may have learned his lesson from throwing Mads Hermansen too soon.
Get French Football News has confirmed Nottingham Forest made the first move for Magassa last week.
France Under 21 star to sign six-year deal with Hammers
But their bid, it is claimed, was rejected by Monaco for the 21-year-old France youth international. Forest were expected to bid again but GFFN states that Magassa gave the green light for a move to West Ham instead.
The likes of Foot Mercato and L’Équipe are also reporting Magassa is on his way to West Ham.
Reports claim Monaco have been forced to sell him due to financial issues.
It is claimed Magassa will sign a six-year contract at West Ham pending a successful medical.
The signs were there at the weekend when Magassa was not in the Monaco squad for their game against Lille, in which fellow West Ham target Ngal’ayel Mukau was stretchered off injured.
Potter will be hoping this is the start of a huge week for the Hammers.
Because West Ham are also reportedly pushing to sign two more midfielders – one a box-to-box prime target and the other a versatile playmaker – before next Monday’s deadline.