West Ham handed unexpected double transfer boost | OneFootball

Both Edson Alvarez and Soungoutou Magassa are set to stay at West Ham, despite foreign transfer windows still being open

Both Edson Alvarez and Soungoutou Magassa are set to remain at West Ham United for the foreseeable future, despite some transfer windows in other countries still being open.

The transfer window has been shut for a little under a week now, but that doesn't mean that squads are finalised between now and the end of the calendar year.

Indeed, the summer windows in Switzerland, Bulgaria and the Czech Republic all close later today (Tuesday); Poland's tomorrow, Greece's next Tuesday, among others, and above all, the transfer window in Saudi Arabia doesn't close until October.

Therefore, while clubs in England cannot spend money on new signings, they can still offload some fringe players if they so wish. Two West Ham players who are yet to feature in league action, though, are set to stay.

Edson Alvarez and Soungoutou Magassa are set to stay at West Ham

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According to Claret & Hugh, a transfer source close to West Ham believes that midfield duo Alvarez and Magassa will both be staying at the London Stadium for the time being, despite there still being a window of opportunity to leave.

The source states that "neither will go to those other leagues," such as Switzerland, Poland or Greece, "and Saudi have pulled right back on money."

It's been a rather uncertain summer at West Ham in terms of who will stay and who will leave. The consensus was that all the European-level talent they brought in wouldn't be keen on playing in the second tier. However, they leave the window with the likes of Jarrod Bowen, Taty Castellanos and Konstantinos Mavropanos still at the club.

And it seems that Alvarez, who spent last season on loan at Fenerbahçe and captained Mexico at the World Cup this past summer, and Magassa, a young Frenchman with plenty of potential, will also be sticking around in the Championship.

Keeping Edson Alvarez will give West Ham United a massive and unexpected boost

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Maybe, barring Bowen, Alvarez would have been tipped to be one of the first names out of the door at the London Stadium after West Ham's relegation, especially given that, if not for injury, the 28-year-old would already be gone.

Alvarez had an option to buy in his loan deal to Fenerbahçe last season, worth a reported £19 million. But after making just 12 league appearances for the Turkish outfit and undergoing ankle surgery in February to ensure he could make the World Cup, they didn't exercise the clause.

With the midfielder in his traditional prime years and having not contributed to West Ham's poor season last year, you wouldn't begrudge him for exploring his options.

Alvarez played in the Hammers' EFL Cup win against Portsmouth on the unofficial opening day, but hasn't featured at all in the Championship games that have followed. West Ham boss Nuno Espírito Santo claimed an injury was keeping him out, but he could have easily been exploring a move away.

But it seems that West Ham are set to keep a man with over 100 national team caps and who cost them £35 million just three summers ago, which can only be a positive in their hopes of landing an immediate promotion.

Soungoutou Magassa could have a breakout season in the Championship

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While Alvarez's future was uncertain, Magassa was reportedly set on a move away, but Claret & Hugh have stated that the 22-year-old has apologised to Nuno and his teammates for a "want-away" stance.

The Frenchman, also recovering from injury, will have to work his way back into the side, but there's every chance that he could have a breakthrough year at the London Stadium as and when he does.

Magassa has been used sparingly over the last few seasons, whether that be at former club Monaco or last season at West Ham. He's played fewer than 1,050 league minutes in each of his last two campaigns.

In the second tier, though, the 22-year-old could realise his potential a lot quicker and cement himself as one of Nuno's most important players in a promotion-chasing year.

Magassa is yet to see the pitch this season, but did make the bench for their EFL Cup second-round win over Southampton. It seems he's not too far away from full fitness, and when he returns, he'll have a point to prove and some fans to win over, too.