Reported anti-Newcastle agreement may block West Ham exit for Issa Diop
Issa Diop is reportedly a target for Newcastle but West Ham may refuse due to an agreement between league clubs not to sell to the Magpies, say L’Equipe.
The central defender has been inconsistent in the first team this season following injuries to Kurt Zouma and Angelo Ogbonna, and David Moyes is reportedly willing to let him go if a replacement can be secured (Claret and Hugh).
And while a £10million bid from the North East was reported by the Sun as being readied earlier this month, Telegraph journalist Jason Burt said yesterday an offer had yet to be made.
However, the French outlet believe angry Premier League clubs have agreed to not do business with the new Saudi-backed owners, with the exception of Manchester City.
L’Equipe write: “If the two sides ever reach an agreement, it would then be a matter of convincing West Ham. However, the Premier League clubs, angry to see such a financially powerful shareholder land in their Championship, seem to have agreed (apart from Manchester City) not to sell players to Newcastle. Would this promise stand the test of a substantial offer?”
Big claim
The rest of the clubs in the top flight were known to be upset by the league’s decision to permit the takeover at Newcastle by the Saudi Investment Fund.
The clubs wished to block inflated sponsorship deals with Saudi owned companies (Evening Standard).
Manchester City have been accused of doing the same thing through their agreements with Abu Dhabi-owned Etihad airways, so it would make sense if they are the only club to not be part of such an agreement.
Chris Wood’s £20million move from Burnley would presumably have side-stepped a block if the bid met his release clause.
It would be very surprising however if all clubs were able to hold together in support of a movement like this, and surely it would only take an offer one can’t refuse for things to change.
Whether that comes for the French Hammers defender is probably unlikely, since the mooted fee of around £10million is not huge.
But something closer to the £22million he cost on arrival from Toulouse in 2018 would likely sway the club, as Diop has not proven a major success and that money could be used elsewhere.
In other West Ham news, the club president of this Hammers target has reportedly lowered his price.