Newcastle United now look set to miss out on Maxwel Cornet this summer.
The Magpies have been trying to sign the 25-year-old from Burnley, having already nabbed Nick Pope.
Cornet would have been the third Claret to move to St James’ Park in 2022, but it looks like he could be on his way to the capital.
West Ham have also been linked with the Ivorian, and it was recently claimed that they were close to a deal. Now there appears to have been a breakthrough.
West Ham agree Cornet fee
According to Football London, the Hammers have agreed a fee with Burnley to sign the winger. They add that personal terms are yet to be agreed, however.
It was previously claimed that Cornet has a release clause of £17.5million following the Lancashire side’s relegation to the Championship. Whether that’s the fee West Ham are going to pay remains to be seen.
While personal terms haven’t been agreed, they surely won’t be an issue. Cornet will likely be keen on the move. It will allow him to return to the Premier League, where he excelled last season. He scored nine goals, but it wasn’t enough to keep Burnley in the top flight.
The move will also allow Cornet to play in Europe again, with West Ham set to compete in the Europa Conference League. That will delight the Ivory Coast international, who previously played in the Champions League for Lyon alongside current Toon midfielder Bruno Guimaraes.
But while Cornet is on the move, there isn’t going to be a reunion at St James’ Park.
Blow for Newcastle
Talk of Cornet coming to Tyneside had intensified over the past week. It felt like a deal was possible, given Newcastle’s need for a player like him and his desire to return to the Premier League.
Eddie Howe needs a winger, and he also wants a striker. Cornet can fill both of those roles, and is available for less than £20million. He can score goals and create them, and is capable of moments of ‘magic‘ according to Charlie Taylor.
It felt like a bit of a no brainer, but it looks like Newcastle are going to miss out. However, you can only imagine it is for good reason. At £17.5million, the Magpies surely could have afforded him. Either they aren’t fully convinced, or have other targets in mind.
West Ham clearly think differently, and are pressing ahead with a deal for Cornet. It should be a good signing, given how well he performed last season in a poor team.
Newcastle’s loss looks set to be West Ham’s gain. Now we must hope that Dan Ashworth has a better alternative up his sleeve.