West Ham want to sign AS Monaco midfielder Soungoutou Magassa, but the Hammers face competition in their bid to bring him to the London Stadium.
Serie A side Atalanta has entered the picture (Foot Mercato).
The West Ham target impressed last season in 21 Ligue 1 appearances and seven Champions League outings, even chipping in with a goal.
The 20-year-old defensive midfielder is an excellent ball-winner and can deputise at centre-back.
Lauded as ‘a young talent who has a lot of quality’, he would be a solid addition to the West Ham ranks.
West Ham were first to move for Magassa with a β¬16 million offer, closely followed by Nottingham Forest at β¬17 million.
Now, Atalanta have approached Magassa’s entourage to signal their interest, though they have not yet tabled a bid.
The development hands Monaco extra leverage as the suitors circle. With three clubs now monitoring him, the French side could look to push the price higher.
For the Hammers, it raises the stakes in a transfer race that was already shaping up to be competitive.
West Ham manager Graham Potter is keen to add more depth and dynamism to his midfield after the shambolic opening start to the Premier League campaign.
West Ham’s lack of energy and steel in midfield was a massive problem versus Chelsea, and the Hammers must address it swiftly. Magassa is a start.
Club authorities see Magassa as a player who can grow with the West Ham project. But with rival bids climbing, the Hammers must decide whether to dig deeper or risk losing out.
West Ham need to act fast after a sluggish start to the transfer window, or the club could be in for a disappointing campaign.
West Ham’s midfield is a serious cause for concern. Their urgency and pressure are lacking.
Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez took the piss out of the West Ham press in multiple sequences while West Ham players resembled deer looking at headlights.
The club needs to bring in at least two midfielders this summer, and if the transfer team have settled on Magassa, they should do everything to get a deal over the line now.