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View: West Ham centre-back Issa Diop could be tempted to leave as Newcastle prepare bid
Newcastle United have monitored West Ham centre-back Issa Diop closely for some time, according to French outlet L’Equipe, and it could be bad news.
The Magpies want to strengthen at the back and are preparing to table a bid of around £10million for the 24-year-old Frenchman, with one expected in the coming hours.
The Saudi-owned moneybags are fighting to stay up, and while many would doubt whether they will be able to tempt the Hammers into parting with Diop during the January window, just anything is possible with 18 months still left on his deal.
Possible?
David Moyes is without Kurt Zouma and Angelo Ogbonna, with the former Toulouse man and Craig Dawson his only senior options at centre-back right now.
West Ham are expected to strengthen in the position, and it is hard to see them agreeing to lose such a player this month.
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£10million is simply not good enough to tempt them into parting ways with Diop, and while a new contract is not on the cards for him right now, they would prefer to lose him for nothing in the summer of 2023 than sell him right now.
Since his arrival in 2018, the former France youth international has made 109 appearances for the club, scoring eight goals.
He is effectively fourth choice when everyone in the department is fit, and it is why a move to St. James’ Park could tempt him if he is guaranteed a starting berth there.
Newcastle would also be ready to hand him a very juicy deal that is much more attractive than what West Ham can offer given their status as the wealthiest club on the planet.
The temptation is there to potentially double his wages, and the Toons are definitely not here to joke after Kieran Trippier swapped La Liga defending champions Atletico Madrid for them.
However, Diop knows the risk involved in joining a team that could be playing Championship football next season, and he should think carefully about accepting such an offer.
In other West Ham news, an amazing attacker is making personal arrangements for Hammers switch in January.
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