Liverpool in for West Ham defender Diop as Klopp looks to solve injury crisis – report
West Ham centre half Issa Diop is the subject of interest from Liverpool as they look to bolster their defensive options before the end of the window.
According to a report in The Athletic, sources close to Diop claim that the champions have enquired about the Frenchman.
Diop, 24, has had few opportunities this season, having started just three times in the 2020/21 Premier League campaign.
It is reported that given the table positions, West Ham would be unlikely to sanction a loan. Any deal would have to come with an obligation to buy and the fee would be in excess of £20m.
Jurgen Klopp has had no luck with injuries this year, with Virgil Van Dijk and Joe Gomez both ruled out for the season from early on. Fabinho has struggled to stay fit, whilst Joel Matip picked up another knock against Tottenham.
The Red’s boss is hoping to bring in some defensive cover before the end of the transfer window. His side have struggled to build on their dominance in 2019/20, as they’ve barely been able to name a consistent back four.
Diop signed from Toulouse for a then club-record fee of £22m in June 2018. He was captain of his club and had led them to a French Cup quarter-final at the age of 21.
He made 38 appearances in all competitions during his debut season, and 35 the following year. This campaign however, Diop has played just six times. He’s fallen down the pecking order behind Angelo Ogbonna, Craig Dawson and Fabian Balbuena.
A loan move to get some playing time could work out perfectly for West Ham and for Diop himself. He has tremendous potential, but given how well the back four have performed, he hasn’t had a sniff of the first team in the league.
However, surely a move to Liverpool really isn’t one that the Hammers should be considering. Separated by just two points, it would be foolish to assist in strengthening their squad.
It might seem crazy to suggest that we’re direct rivals but that’s how things are shaping up with half of the season gone.
In other West Ham news, Klopp has poured praise on this West Ham star ahead of our clash on Sunday.