Napoli offered the chance to sign West Ham United defender Issa Diop
Napoli have earmarked West Ham Issa Diop as their potential summer signing, according to Area Napoli.
The report suggests that the defender can leave the Hammers for a “relatively small outlay”. He has been offered to Napoli for a fee in the region of £12.8 million on Tuesday (31 May).
Napoli sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli would love to strike a deal for the Frenchman after failing to sign him back in 2018.
The only stumbling block is the player’s wages. He earns more than £3.4m per year and he will need to take a pay cut to secure his passage to Italy.
Serie A rivals, Lazio, are also a keen admirer of the 25-year-old defender.
Likely to leave
Diop has made over 120 appearances in all competitions for the London outfit, but he is facing an uncertain future at the club.
The Frenchman struggled to make an impact last season at the club, and it’s high time to cash in on him.
He has a contract at the club till 2023, and West Ham must look to sell him to the highest bidder.
There is also an interest from French outfit Lyon [West Ham Way podcast (May 30)], and it seems his future lies away from the London Stadium.
David Moyes is looking to bolster the defence this summer, with the club reportedly keen on completing a deal for Rennes defender Nayef Aguerd in the near future [The Guardian].
Diop would be an ideal replacement for Napoli defender Kalidou Koulabily who is refusing to sign a new deal at the Italian club.
Napoli have offered the central defender a lucrative deal that will keep him at the club till 2026, but he isn’t keen on extending his stay. Diop would be a fantastic signing for them.
In other West Ham news, a football finance expert has made a mammoth £200m Hammers claim amid recent speculation.
Be sure to follow West Ham Zone on Facebook and Twitter for 24/7 updates on the Hammers and more exclusive interviews with Frank McAvennie.