West Ham approach Nottingham Forest over a loan deal for Ibrahim Sangare | OneFootball

West Ham have approached Nottingham Forest over a loan deal with a potential obligation to buy for defensive midfielder Ibrahim Sangare, according to the Sun journalist Jack Rosser.

West Ham are closing in on a deal to bring AS Monaco defensive midfielder Soungoutou Magassa to the London Stadium club.

However, Hammers manager Graham Potter could be looking to make two signings in the position, and the Ivory Coast international has emerged as a target.

The ‘explosive’ Sangare, who has been dubbed ‘Yaya Toure 2.0’, brings Premier League quality and experience to the table, and West Ham could do with such a player in the middle of the park.

Forest could be against helping their rivals and securing a deal could be tricky.

The 27-year-old has featured in both of their league games so far in 2025-26 after making 13 appearances last term.

He could be a key player under Nuno Espirito Santo, but the Tricky Trees manager could be on his way out of the club after a strain in his relationship with owner Evangelos Marinakis and head of football Edu.

Sangare is known for his tackling, interceptions and blocks, and he is also capable of causing havoc in the final third with his through balls.

They are qualities West Ham need in a midfielder following a woeful start to 2025-26, and getting the Forest star could be huge.

They lost 3-0 to Sunderland in the first game of the campaign before suffering a 5-1 loss at the hands of Chelsea last weekend.

The pressure is mounting on Potter and he is desperate to strengthen in the middle of the park before the transfer deadline next Monday.

He may also need to strengthen at the back and in attack as the midfield is not only the current problem of the Hammers.