West Ham in over Maxwel Cornet deal, could be made permanent

West Ham United in talks with Southampton over Maxwel Cornet deal, could be made permanent

Maxwel Cornet’s proposed West Ham exit to Southampton on loan is expected to include an option to make the move permanent, according to BBC Sport.

Nizaar Kinsella reported in an update for the outlet’s website on 30 August (11.31am) the Saints deal was due to be a loan-to-buy move if it goes through on Transfer Deadline Day.

Southampton saw their move to sign the Ivorian attacker hit by a late hijack attempt from Crystal Palace [Ryan Taylor, 30 August].

But Russell Martin’s side are still expected to be his next destination before the transfer window closes, according to Fabrizio Romano (30 August).

Maxwel Cornet to follow Flynn Downes from West Ham to Southampton

Tim Steidten has already signed wide man in Luis Guilherme and Crysencio Summerville during the transfer window, and there has been interest in a deal for Chelsea’s Carney Chukwuemeka on Deadline Day [Guardian, 30 August].

And according to The Times Cornet was one of the players named as expendable to make space for Julen Lopetegui’s “key priority” signing [Guardian, 26 August], Carlos Soler from PSG.

So it doesn’t look like there is a great deal of interest from the new regime in reviving the former Burley star’s fortunes at the London Stadium.

Assuming he completes a move to St. Mary’s before 11pm it is therefore likely that everyone involved hopes he can justify a permanent option being triggered.

He would join up with ex-Irons midfielder Flynn Downes on the south coast who has already turned a successful loan under Martin into a permanent exit.

Cornet is still only just approaching his 28th birthday in September so has time to regain his previous form, but in order for that to happen it looks like a move before the deadline is necessary.