Newcastle and Watford in hunt to sign West Ham centre-back Issa Diop
Newcastle United, Watford and AC Milan are interested in signing West Ham United centre-back Issa Diop, according to Foot Mercato.
The French-born defender has been heavily linked with AC Milan with Foot Mercato recently claiming the Serie A club contacted West Ham ahead of a potential January deal.
However, a domestic switch to a Premier League rival could also be an option for the Hammers centre-back.
The Foot Mercato report reads tells us that “the management of the Milan club contacted West Ham for information on its French defender, Issa Diop”.
The report goes on to add: “Newcastle United and Watford are also interested in enlisting him”. Diop played all 90 minutes yesterday (Tuesday) as the Hammers won 4-1 against Watford at Vicarage Road.
It could be an interesting battle for his signature with Moyes surely intent on keeping Diop on his books.
Defensive deficiencies
Moyes already faces a defensive conundrum with both Kurt Zouma and Angelo Ogbonna sidelined with injury. According to Transfermarkt, Zouma is set to return in mid-January but Ogbonna is sure to be ruled until the end of the season.
West Ham should do everything they can to keep Diop at the club. If anything, the club should be eager to reinforce their central defensive options in the winter window.
Lloyd Kelly and Duje Ćaleta-Car have both emerged as options for them ahead of 1 January. Burnley’s James Tarkowski has also been touted a year since his move to the London Stadium broke down.
Moyes will certainly be eager to make reinforcements at the back to help increase the gap between the Hammers and their chasing pack.
Currently in fifth, Tottenham and Manchester United are just points behind them, each with two games in hand.
Youth defenders Ajibola Alese and Jamal Baptiste are also available to Moyes from the side’s Under-23s. However, the manager will want fully-fledged, experienced talent to guide his club to a European spot.
The side will, of course, be competing in the Europa League too. The youngsters put in a great performance in their final UEL game against Dinamo Zagreb despite a 1-0 loss.
However, to compete in the Premier League, FA Cup and Europa League, some new talent could come through the door at the London Stadium. Therefore, it seems rather unlikely that Issa Diop would be allowed to depart for pastures new, at least in January.
In other West Ham news, Frank McAvennie highlights the need for a world-class player between the sticks.
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