Pundit: £20m a good price for Issa Diop as West Ham United exit nears
We’re delighted to welcome former West Ham United striker Frank McAvennie as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at the London Stadium…
Frank McAvennie believes £20m is a fair price for Issa Diop as West Ham edge closer to selling the French defender this summer.
The 25-year-old is now seen as a fifth-choice centre back following the arrival of Nayef Aguerd this summer from Rennes, and Fulham have had a £12m bid rejected [Daily Mail, July 7] as the Hammers seek a fee between £18-20m.
And former Irons striker McAvennie says that he would only be allowed to leave if David Moyes felt he wouldn’t be left short, which tells him that Diop is “surplus to requirements” at the London Stadium.
“Is £20m a good price for Diop? Yeah, he’s fighting for places now isn’t he,” he told West Ham Zone.
“One thing I do know about David Moyes, and I can guarantee he’ll be talking to Mr Sullivan about this, he’ll not be letting anyone go if he’s going to be short. If he’s going to be short in that position, why would he want to let somebody go?
“I believe he thinks he’s got enough players, or for £20m he believes he’s got somebody else he’s going to bring in.
“Because I think four is a good number to have for centre halves. He gets injured a bit. So I think David Moyes deserves every bit of confidence for the players that he’s brought in. He believes in them, so if he lets somebody go it’s because they’re surplus to requirements I think.”
Diop made 20 appearances in all competitions last season, with the vast majority coming after Angelo Ogbonna and Kurt Zouma suffered injuries during the campaign that ruled them out for long periods.