By Dave Langton
A deal for West Ham to sign Maxwel Cornet from Burnley makes all the sense in the world.
The wing-back has been linked with a potential move to the Hammers throughout the transfer window and the reliable Jacob Steinberg of The Guardian reports there is confidence of a deal being agreed. 
Cornet has a release clause of £17.5m but Steinberg reports that the club are trying to negotiate a lower fee, while there is rival interest from Everton, Newcastle, and Nottingham Forest.
It remains to be seen if the Hammers will meet the fee required to trigger the clause but Cornet makes plenty of sense as a new addition.
He plays in a similar position to Filip Kostic, can burst up and down the flanks, and has Premier League experience after spending last season with Burnley.
They were relegated, of course, but he scored nine goals in a poor team and offers the ability to play in a variety of positions, including up front, on the wings and at wing-back.
Finding value in this transfer market is incredibly difficult but buying a player like Cornet for under £20m would be an absolutely excellent piece of business.
The good thing is we must have someone lined up right? Otherwise why would we sanction the masuaku exit. Looks like we are going to get out all the duds in exchange for upgraded replacements, all in one window which if you ask me would make this our best ever transfer window. Let’s hope Moysie can pull it off. If Onana comes in as looks likely that just leaves the Masuaku replacement. I’d take Kostic or Cornet. Either would be a serious upgrade on Masuaku.
Three rival teams looking at Cornet and we’re trying to negotiate a lower fee, the “West Ham Way” I suppose lol
I like him and i think he would be a good addition to our squad.
Just get it done quick and pay the asking price.
I am reading that not only are trying to reduce the fee on Cornet but we would prefer a loan to buy. Who’s making decisions like this? He is only £17.5m, he’s only 25, he plays left side and he scores goals! Kostic is over,who we were gonna pay £16m for, Diop can be sold for £15m and Masuaku has gone. What is the truth here please?
I’m hopeful this can get done, I believe he will be great on the left and he knows where the goals are. I still think we need do need a proper LB, maybe young Ben is considered Cressies cover?
I’m pleased with this signing of and when it happens
AND we’re still getting a LB to compete with Cress? Right? Ben can play LB but either way we need another full back. This guy can’t defend, just like Masuaku.
Agree that we definitely need a genuine left back, with Coufal representing the present and Ashby the future on the right. Am still unconvinced by Johnson as a full back as he doesn’t have a decent cross on him, plays too many square passes and is turned too easily: looks increasingly destined to be a utility player. Still four weeks of the window to go to find one.