OGC Nice want West Ham centre-back Issa Diop
OGC Nice are interested in bringing West Ham United centre-back Issa Diop back to Ligue 1 this summer, according to L’Equipe.
The French side are said to have launched an “ambitious” move for the signature of the 24-year-old, but striking a deal looks complex due to economical reasons.
Nice have found out the wages Diop is currently on and the transfer fee West Ham would ask for will be beyond their financial capabilities, and they are not likely to proceed with a move.
Impossible move
While Hammers manager David Moyes wants another centre-back, he is not likely to be open to losing someone like Diop this summer.
He made it clear last December that he has no plans of approving his sale in the January transfer window, insisting that the Frenchman is very much in his plans [Standard Sport].
With Fabian Balbuena gone, we definitely need to keep hold of the young centre-back despite his recent struggles.
Jose Mourinho called Diop ” a monster who dominated in the duels” in September 2018 while at Manchester United, showering praise on the scout that found the then 21-year-old [Standard Sport].
As expected, the transfer rumour mill was in full swing afterwards, with plenty of reports linking the Hammers defender with a move to Tottenham Hotspur the moment the Portuguese manager moved to north London.
Diop has remained at the London Stadium since, though, and is now expected to start against Newcastle United at the weekend with Angelo Ogbonna still not fully fit.
The former Toulouse star is now in the fourth season of the five-year deal he signed upon joining us, and we could finally get that monster back in 2021-22 after his recent struggles.
In other West Ham news, Hammers cult hero handed matchday boost after PL rule change.
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