West Ham: Issa Diop’s transfer value crashes under David Moyes
Diop #Diop
West Ham United defender Issa Diop will quite possibly be at a career crossroads this summer, and fresh claims cast doubt over his future in east London.
In 2018, the French centre-back cost the Irons a then club-record £22m, and at one stage he looked to be set for huge things as the likes of Arsenal and Manchester United were credited with interest following an impressive start to life in England.
However, he has now found himself in and out of the team under David Moyes and is potentially West Ham’s fourth-choice centre-back heading into next season.
This week, The Athletic’s ‘U Irons’ podcast discussed the 24-year-old, who is soon to enter the peak years of his career, and journalist Sam Delaney hinted that the Hammers could be enticed into a sale this summer.
He said: “I think from West Ham’s point of view, considering that we never have much money to spend, who does? And if we want to make some decent signings, we’re going to have to sell.
“To me, he’s a prime candidate because usually, we sell players who don’t have much value. So really, it’s just an exercise in getting them off of the wage bill. But you look at Diop’s age you sort of think he’s someone who can still fetch a reasonable fee for but he is not first choice.”
If GSB are to sanction any exit, they won’t be too pleased with how Diop’s value has crashed in recent years. Back in July 2019, he was valued at a whopping £31.5m, so it’s no wonder the aforementioned interest from West Ham’s top-flight rivals were alongside a mooted £60m asking price.
However, due to a lack of game-time and poor form, the 6 foot 4 colossus is now rated at just £16.2m, a drastic decrease of 48%, as per Transfermarkt.
Once lauded a “monster” by Jose Mourinho, Diop has slipped behind Moyes’ first-choice duo Craig Dawson, who signed permanently from Watford earlier this month, and Angelo Ogbonna as well as Aaron Cresswell, who has often acted as a third option in a centre-back three.
It would therefore make sense to cash in on the former Toulouse defender if he’s not going to contribute considering that he’s only 24, but it’ll be a huge blow to GSB that his value has dropped substantially.
AND in other news, Moyes could seal WHU bargain in 62-goal beast who Haaland dubbed “crazy”…
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