West Ham United have reached an agreement with AS Monaco for the transfer of Franco-Malian midfielder Soungoutou Magassa in a deal worth €20 million.
The 20-year-old has given his approval to the move, with the Hammers expected to pay €17 million upfront, plus an additional €3 million in performance-related bonuses.
The deal brings to an end weeks of negotiations, with West Ham finally securing one of Ligue 1’s most highly rated young talents.
Magassa, who progressed through Monaco’s academy system, has been widely recognised for his versatility and technical intelligence in midfield.
Comfortable as a defensive anchor or in more advanced positions, he has quickly built a reputation as a player with both immediate impact and long-term potential.
His performances in Ligue 1 caught the eye of several European clubs, but West Ham acted decisively to seal his signature.
The move is seen as part of the Premier League club’s strategy to blend youthful promise with experience, ensuring both competitiveness in the short term and sustainability in the long term.
For manager Julen Lopetegui, Magassa’s arrival is expected to strengthen a midfield department that has been earmarked for reinforcements.
Born in France to Malian heritage, Magassa made his senior breakthrough with Monaco in 2022 and quickly demonstrated composure beyond his years.
His ability to read the game, win duels, and distribute with accuracy has marked him out as one of the brightest emerging players from the Principality side’s famed youth setup.
For Monaco, the transfer represents both a sporting loss and a significant financial gain.
The Ligue 1 side has a strong tradition of developing players and moving them on to Europe’s elite leagues, and Magassa’s switch continues that trend.
Although Monaco had hoped to retain him for another season, the combination of West Ham’s structured offer and the player’s desire to test himself in the Premier League proved decisive.
West Ham, meanwhile, see the signing as a crucial addition to their evolving project.
The club’s board has invested heavily in building a squad capable of competing domestically and in European competition, with Magassa viewed as a player who can adapt to the Premier League’s intensity while continuing to develop his game.
The transfer is expected to be finalised once medical examinations are complete and contractual details are signed off.
Magassa will then link up with his new teammates in London, becoming the latest in a line of promising talents to make the switch from Ligue 1 to the English top flight.
For the young midfielder, the move represents both a challenge and an opportunity—to establish himself in one of the world’s toughest leagues and to take the next step in what many believe could be a highly distinguished career.
