West Ham United submits offer for AS Monaco’s Soungoutou Magassa

West Ham United have submitted an official offer worth €19million with €3m in bonuses for Monaco’s Soungoutou Magassa, according to a report by The Guardian.

The Frenchman has emerged as a key target for the Hammers as they look to strengthen their midfield options.

The departure of Mohammed Kudus to Tottenham Hotspur and Edson Álvarez, who is close to joining Fenerbahçe, has led to the increased need of a midfielder for the Londoners.

West Ham lost on opening day to newly promoted side Sunderland, which highlights the need for Graham Potter’s side to make reinforcements before the transfer window closes.

The 21-year-old has attracted interest from AS Roma and Nottingham Forest over time, but a move away from Stade Louis did not materialise.

The youngster featured in 29 matches for Monaco across all competitions last season, playing in the Champions League, and represented France Under-21s at this summer’s European Championship.

The transfer comes amid other potential midfield moves, including the Hammer’s interest in box-to-box midfielder Mateus Fernandes of Southampton.

Magassa is known for winning tackles and moving the ball quickly to keep the game flowing.

He is comfortable using either foot and has shown strong technical passing ability.

West Ham see Magassa as filling a slot in defensive midfield. They want to add more power and need someone to set the tempo and control play from deep positions.

His versatility is another advantage, as he can also operate as a left-sided central defender.

West Ham are also monitoring Rennes’ Djaoui Cissé, Werder Bremen’s Romano Schmid, Feyenoord’s Quinten Timber, Ajax’s Kenneth Taylor, Torino’s Ivan Ilic and Lens’ midfielder Andy Diouf, who is expected to join Inter.

The Hammers host Chelsea this evening and seek to return to winning ways after their last defeat.