West Ham United are reportedly set to keep Edson Álvarez and Soungoutou Magassa until at least January, closing off the possibility of either midfielder leaving through one of the overseas transfer windows still open.
Both players remained at London Stadium when the English window closed last week, but possible exits had not disappeared completely with several countries still able to complete deals.
That possibility now appears to have been removed.
West Ham set to keep Alvarez and Magassa until January
Claret & Hugh report that West Ham will not sell or loan Álvarez or Magassa through the remaining open markets.
A transfer source told the outlet that neither midfielder is expected to depart before January 2027.
That provides considerably more clarity for Nuno Espírito Santo after a difficult summer involving both players.
Álvarez had pushed to leave West Ham and attracted interest from several clubs, while Magassa also wanted greater playing opportunities elsewhere.
West Ham nevertheless held firm over their valuations.
The Hammers rejected late approaches from Sevilla and Bologna for Magassa, including a Bologna proposal containing a conditional €17million obligation to buy.
Nuno now faces major West Ham reintegration decision
Keeping both players settles the immediate transfer question.
The football question is more complicated.
Neither Álvarez nor Magassa has established a regular place in Nuno’s Championship side, despite West Ham now possessing one of the deepest midfield groups in the division.
Arne Engels has quickly become an important starter, while Divine Mukasa, Lewis Orford and Mohamadou Kanté have also provided Nuno with options.
Our West Ham transfer window verdict already highlighted how retaining Álvarez and Magassa could strengthen the squad if Nuno can successfully reintegrate them.
That challenge now becomes unavoidable.
Álvarez offers extensive international and Premier League experience, while Magassa’s ability to operate in midfield or defence could become particularly valuable during a 46-game Championship campaign.
The full depth available to Nuno can be seen in our continually updated West Ham squad guide.
West Ham have decided against accepting deals they considered insufficient and the remaining overseas markets are no longer expected to provide an exit.
Álvarez and Magassa therefore look set to remain part of Nuno’s promotion squad until January.
