West Ham United enter the final 40 hours of the summer transfer window with five significant deals still unresolved as Nuno Espírito Santo waits for his squad to take its final shape.
The Hammers have already completed major business this summer, but the market remains very much alive heading into Monday.
The EFL has confirmed that the summer transfer window closes at 11pm BST on Tuesday 1 September, giving West Ham little time to complete their remaining work.
Edvin Austbø is closing in on a move to London Stadium, Soungoutou Magassa is considering two offers to leave, Jean-Clair Todibo is approaching a Lens loan and West Ham are still exploring late attacking and defensive additions.
The next 40 hours could therefore reshape Nuno’s squad again.
Edvin Austbo deal needs finalising
The most advanced incoming deal involves Austbø.
West Ham have already had an offer accepted by Viking for the highly-rated winger, with ExWHUEmployee reporting that the fee is believed to be around £10million.
The 20-year-old travelled to London for his medical after the agreement was reached.
That means the remaining task is completing the formalities and officially registering the Norway youth international before Tuesday night.
ReadWestHam has already covered the agreement between West Ham and Viking for Austbø.
Unless a late complication emerges, this is the deal that currently looks closest to becoming another permanent addition to Nuno’s squad.
Magassa has major West Ham decision to make
Soungoutou Magassa could be heading in the opposite direction.
Foot Mercato reports that Sevilla and Bologna have both submitted formal offers for the 22-year-old.
Both proposals are understood to be paid loans containing obligations to buy.
Crucially, that structure appeals to West Ham.
The club are reportedly prepared to sanction an exit on those terms, leaving Magassa to assess which sporting project he prefers.
Our latest Magassa update detailed how Sevilla and Bologna have moved ahead of other interested clubs.
A decision from the midfielder would represent the next significant progression.
Todibo exit is almost complete
Jean-Clair Todibo’s situation is even further advanced.
West Ham have reached an agreement with Lens over a straight season-long loan without an option to buy.
The defender has already travelled to France for his medical, with RMC Sport reporting that Todibo made a financial effort to help facilitate the transfer.
ReadWestHam reported on Todibo undergoing his Lens medical after West Ham agreed the loan.
Fresh reporting has since revealed the extent to which Todibo’s relationship with Nuno had deteriorated.
The expectation is therefore that the move will be completed rather than collapse.
But until Lens announce the defender, it remains another piece of deadline business West Ham need to finish.
Krejci could replace Todibo at West Ham
Todibo’s departure increases the importance of adding another centre-back.
One possible solution is Ladislav Krejci.
Krejci only became a permanent Wolves player this summer after an obligation in his previous loan agreement was triggered.
However, the Czechia international has now emerged as an unexpected late option for West Ham.
Our report on West Ham’s talks over Krejci explained that no formal offer or club-to-club agreement had been reported at that stage.
That makes this less advanced than Austbø or Todibo.
The next 40 hours will show whether the talks develop into a genuine attempt to bring the defender to London Stadium.
Balde race gives West Ham another attacking option
West Ham are also attempting to add more attacking depth.
Rodez striker Ibrahima Baldé has emerged as one of the most intriguing late options after scoring five goals in his opening four Ligue 2 matches.
The French club are understood to value Baldé at around £2.5m.
West Ham have not yet been reported to have submitted a formal offer, meaning this remains a developing situation rather than an advanced deal.
ReadWestHam covered the Hammers’ emergence in the race for Baldé on Sunday.
Rangers remain interested, so West Ham may need to move quickly if they decide the forward is a priority.
Nuno cannot afford another incomplete window
The urgency surrounding the final 40 hours is increased by West Ham’s start to the Championship season.
Nuno’s side have collected only two points from their opening three league matches.
Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Watford again highlighted a lack of cutting edge, while Todibo’s impending departure creates another defensive vacancy.
West Ham host Wolves on Tuesday night just hours before the transfer window shuts.
That gives Nuno the unusual situation of preparing for a crucial Championship fixture while his squad could still be changing around him.
Austbø appears close.
Magassa has a decision to make.
Todibo needs completing.
Krejci remains an option.
Baldé offers another late attacking route.
West Ham have already changed their squad dramatically this summer, but the final 40 hours could still prove the most important of all.
