West Ham United defender Issa Diop deal to Fulham almost done
West Ham United defender Issa Diop is close to joining Fulham, as per Jacob Steinberg.
The Guardian journalist reported on Twitter on 8 August that the deal is “almost done”. The Cottagers will pay a fee of around £15 million.
Diop wasn’t involved against Manchester City despite being fit, and his departure will raise West Ham’s transfer budget this summer.
Steinberg wrote on Twitter: “Issa Diop’s move to Fulham almost done. West Ham defender wasn’t involved in defeat to Man City despite being fit. (It) meant West Ham only had one centre-back available.
“Fulham expected to pay £15m for Diop. Raises West Ham’s transfer budget. They are still going for a left-back, a centre back and a midfielder.”
Act quickly
Diop has been heavily linked with a move to Fulham this summer, and it seems it is now only a matter of time for the deal to go through.
The French defender is expected to sign a five-year deal at the London club. He wasn’t used in the Premier League opening game defeat against Manchester City on Sunday, and it became very clear at that time that he is nearing his exit.
In four seasons at the club, Diop has made over 120 appearances and scored eight goals.
He had a great opportunity to cement his position in the side last season when both Angelo Ogbonna and Kurt Zouma got injured, but he failed to take his chances.
Despite the fact that the Hammers will be missing Nayef Aguerd for the opening few matches, while the likes of Angelo Ogbonna and Craig Dawson are still unavailable, the Hammers have decided to sell him.
It probably indicates that the Hammers are happy to let him go, and invest the money into the squad. The Hammers are still aiming to sign a centre-back, and a left-back this summer.