Top News

Crystal Palace are stepping up their efforts to sign Soungoutou Magassa from West Ham United, with talks now understood to be at an advanced and active stage. Journalist Fabrice Hawkins has confirmed the development, stating that the Eagles have been in contact with West Ham for quite some time as they worked to understand the framework of a possible transfer, and they are now prepared to try and get the move completed.

Magassa is also said to be open to the transfer, and that is a major factor in the situation. After suffering relegation to the EFL Championship last season, West Ham are facing increasing pressure to move on players earning substantial Premier League salaries, and the 22-year-old defensive midfielder is among the foremost names in that group. A number of other clubs have shown interest as well, which leaves Palace in a race to finalise the deal before another suitor makes its move.

Fabrice Hawkins, who first reported the story, added that discussions are still ongoing and that no agreement has been sealed at this stage.

Magassa arrived at West Ham from Monaco around a year ago in a transfer worth approximately €17 million. During the 2025/26 campaign, he featured 26 times across all competitions, including 22 appearances in the Premier League. He started 11 of those matches and accumulated 989 minutes on the pitch. He also found the net against Manchester United. For a young footballer adapting to the demands of English football, those figures are certainly respectable.

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 20: Soungoutou Magassa of West Ham United during the Premier League match between Manchester City and West Ham United at Etihad Stadium on December 20, 2025 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Molly Darlington/Getty Images)

West Ham may not need much time to reach a decision on Magassa. The reality is quite straightforward: keeping him does not seem to benefit anyone. A 22-year-old France Under-21 international who also has an Olympic silver medal, an 85% passing completion rate, and the ability to operate both as a number six and as a ball-playing centre-back should not be spending his time in Championship football. The concern for West Ham is that his market value could begin to dip the moment he is playing fixtures such as Blackburn away on a Tuesday night.

Under Pierre Sage, Crystal Palace appear to be putting together a side with a proper defensive structure, and Magassa looks like a natural fit for that setup. Standing at 6-foot-2, he brings physical presence, composure in possession, and the versatility to play in several roles across defence and midfield. West Ham have already generated more than €175 million in sales this summer, with departures including Mateus Fernandes and Crysencio Summerville. That gives them bargaining power. Nuno should be looking to demand £18-20 million, secure a profit on the fee paid to Monaco last summer, and proceed without allowing emotion to influence the call.

If West Ham choose to hold out for a bigger fee, or try to persuade Magassa to stay, it could prove to be an error they simply cannot afford, whether from a financial point of view, a squad-building perspective, or with an immediate Championship rebuild already under way.