Maxwel Cornet – remember him? In the summer Southampton signed the Ivory Coast international on a season long loan. He has featured four times for the Saints in the league, along with two EFL Cup appearances, last appearing against Stoke City on the 29th October.His came on as a substitute in this game during the first half to replace Ryan Fraser but didn’t register any attempts on goal. However late on in the second half he was involved in the match winning goal for the Saints.
The left winger is contracted to West Ham until June 2027. Signed by David Moyes in August 2022 for a fee in the region of £17m much was expected of the player, who had caught the eye at his previous club Burnley. He can play as a wing back, winger or striker so offered the Hammers a number of options.
Cornet was struck down by a number of injuries which plagued his time at the London stadium, and was eventually frozen out by the ex West Ham gaffer.
The move to Russell Martins team was billed as a chance to show Julen Lopetegui what he was missing. Indeed Martin lavished praise on Cornet after he hooked up with his new team mates “He is a really good footballer, so if we can keep him fit, he really suits what we want to do”
There are no reports suggesting the player is injured and he hasn’t even managed to make the bench for the Saints in recent games.
Sources suggest he needs to work on his fitness, pace and finishing to earn a place in the first team.
Southampton are currently rooted to the bottom of the Premier League, and it remains to be seen whether Russell Martin feels he deserves a place in his squad.
Sadly this means that West Ham could be faced with a player returning in the summer who is further devalued. Tim Steidten will have great difficulty in shifting the winger, who is on a weekly wage of £65k. The players agents, Unique Sport Group will possibly try and find a club abroad, yet his salary will prove problematic.
However, the loan to Southampton along with other player outgoings has saved the Hammers £4m in salaries and allowed the club to not fall foul of the PSR rules during the last transfer window.
