Beck Pascal

Mon 20 June 2022 13:30, UK

Ligue 1 duo Lyon and Monaco are eyeing a move for West Ham United defender Issa Diop in the summer transfer window, according to Claret & Hugh.

David Moyes is in the midst of strengthening the Irons squad as they look to compete in Europe for the second consecutive season.

The Hammers made a great account of themselves in all competitions last season but ultimately their lack of squad depth – particularly in centre-back and striker – hampered their chances of lifting a trophy or reaching the Champions League.

The Scot has already made great progress in fixing those crisis areas with the signing of Nayef Aguerd.

According to a Sky Sports report, the London Stadium outfit has already signed the defender on a five-year deal worth up to £30million.

Lazio are also said to be interested in Diop with a “tussle” between the three clubs set to happen.

No-brainer

Given the fact that the Frenchman is out of contract with the east Londoners at the end of the 2022/23 campaign, recouping some money for him now would make complete sense.

West Ham paid £22million for him from Toulouse which back in 2018 was a club-record fee.

With the Irons – hopefully – set to spend big this summer, they will want every penny they can get to reinvest back into the squad and getting rid of a player who barely plays is a good way of doing that.

Of course, it would also open up a space on the wage bill and in the squad with Moyes known for not wanting too many players.

This is surely a no-brainer for Diop who can’t have been happy featuring only 13 times in the Premier League in 2022/23 and that is with an injury crisis.

Angelo Ogbonna and Kurt Zouma spent large parts of the campaign out injured and even then Diop struggled to establish himself in the team.

In other West Ham news, a key West Ham man has humiliated himself with a series of off the mark rants

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