As the final grains of sand trickle through the transfer window`s hourglass, West Ham United finds itself in a familiar, yet increasingly urgent, scramble. With less than a week remaining, the Hammers are far from done in their quest to bolster Graham Potter`s squad. Recent matches have highlighted a pronounced need for midfield reinforcements, a void made all the more acute by the departure of Edson Alvarez to Turkey, leaving a significant gap in the engine room.
The Eleventh-Hour Hustle: West Ham`s Midfield Imperative
The summer window has seen some intriguing arrivals at the London Stadium, including El Hadji Malick Diouf and Kyle Walker-Peters. Yet, the collective wisdom of recent performances dictates that more is required to forge a truly competitive unit. The midfield, often the heartbeat of any successful side, has become a particular area of focus. Without adequate depth and quality there, even the most ambitious tactical plans can falter.
Soungoutou Magassa: A Promising Foundation
In a display of rather uncharacteristic decisiveness, West Ham appears to be on the cusp of securing Soungoutou Magassa from AS Monaco. Reports suggest the 21-year-old Frenchman has already completed his medical, with an official announcement potentially just days away. Magassa represents a shrewd acquisition: a young, promising talent with potential to grow into a key player. He offers fresh legs and a new dynamic, hinting at a forward-thinking approach to squad building.
Exequiel Palacios: The World-Class Upgrade
However, the real show-stopper, if reports from journalist Graeme Bailey are to be believed, is West Ham`s simultaneous pursuit of Exequiel Palacios. The Bayer Leverkusen star is not merely another target; he is touted as an even better signing than Magassa. The Hammers have reportedly already made contact with Leverkusen, exploring a deal for the “incredible Argentine” – a phrase that rarely finds itself attached to a merely average player.
What makes Palacios even more enticing is the whisper that he might be available on loan. In a market often characterized by inflated fees and prolonged negotiations, a loan deal for a player of his calibre could be a masterstroke. While the specifics of his £83k-per-week wages and any potential loan fees remain under wraps, the strategic advantage of acquiring such a talent without a hefty immediate transfer outlay is undeniably appealing. It could be a complex puzzle to assemble, but the potential reward—a midfielder of Palacios`s standing—would undoubtedly be worth the effort.
A Tale of Two Midfielders: Experience vs. Potential
While both Magassa and Palacios would undoubtedly enhance West Ham`s midfield, the comparison between the two highlights distinct profiles. Palacios, at 26, brings a wealth of experience cultivated at the highest echelons of professional football. His resume boasts 160 appearances for Leverkusen, 87 for River Plate, and an impressive 36 senior caps for Argentina.
Beyond raw statistics, Palacios possesses a trophy cabinet that reads like a professional footballer`s fantasy league: a Bundesliga title, a DFB-Pokal, two Argentine Cups, the prestigious Copa Libertadores, two Copa América titles, and, perhaps most notably, a FIFA World Cup. This is a collection of silverware that might make a medieval monarch blush. Magassa, in contrast, while a bright prospect, can currently only display an Olympic silver medal. While his career is young and brimming with future possibilities, the immediate impact of a player who has consistently won at the elite level cannot be overstated.
The Numbers Game: Palacios`s Statistical Dominance
Delving deeper into their underlying numbers from the 24/25 league season (per 90 minutes, via FBref), Exequiel Palacios consistently outperforms Magassa in crucial offensive and progressive metrics. This isn`t just a slight edge; it`s a pronounced difference that paints a clear picture of Palacios`s all-action, “box-crashing” influence, a term analyst Ben Mattinson aptly used to describe him.
| Palacios vs Magassa: A Statistical Snapshot (24/25 League Season, per 90) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Statistic | Palacios | Magassa |
| Non-Penalty Expected G+As | 0.30 | 0.12 |
| Non-Penalty G+As | 0.55 | 0.09 |
| Progressive Carries | 1.17 | 0.53 |
| Progressive Passes | 7.58 | 5.53 |
| Shots | 1.01 | 0.70 |
| Shots on Target | 0.62 | 0.26 |
| Passing Accuracy | 90.1% | 84.6% |
| Key Passes | 2.19 | 0.61 |
| Passes into the Final Third | 7.58 | 5.88 |
| Passes into the Penalty Area | 1.48 | 0.88 |
| Shot-Creating Actions | 3.67 | 1.67 |
| Goal-Creating Actions | 0.70 | 0.09 |
| Tackles Won | 1.17 | 2.19 |
| Interceptions | 1.02 | 1.84 |
| All Stats via FBref for the 24/25 League Season | ||
As the table illustrates, Palacios demonstrates a significantly higher offensive output and creative flair. His expected and actual non-penalty goals plus assists are substantially greater, underscoring his direct contribution to scoring. He pushes the ball forward more effectively, whether through progressive carries or passes, and boasts superior shooting accuracy and key passes. His passing accuracy, a critical attribute for midfield control, is also notably higher.
Magassa, conversely, shows stronger defensive numbers in tackles won and interceptions. This suggests he is perhaps more geared towards a pure defensive midfield role, acting as a screen for the backline. Palacios, while certainly capable defensively, is the archetypal all-action midfielder: a potent mix of goalscoring threat, creative catalyst, and diligent worker. He brings a dynamic presence that can dictate play, break lines, and contribute meaningfully in both attacking and defensive phases.
In essence, West Ham`s pursuit of Palacios signals a clear ambition to not just fill a gap, but to elevate their midfield with a proven, world-class talent. While Magassa offers a promising future, Palacios represents the immediate, high-impact upgrade capable of bringing a winning mentality and a statistically superior game to the heart of the Hammers` squad.
