OPINION
Toulouse defender Issa Diop appears to be attracting a lot of attention in the early stages of the summer transfer window, with Everton and West Ham reportedly interested in signing the France Under-21 international.
The Daily Mail has reported that Fulham are also in the chase to sign Diop, 21, after a stellar season in Ligue 1, which has also seen him appear on the radar of the likes of Tottenham, Arsenal and even Barcelona.
It is understood that Toulouse would be willing to listen to offers for Diop – but they value him at £26million, which is a major sum to spend for Everton and West Ham.
Marco Silva has a lot of work to do this summer and most of his issues surely lie in his defence with players who are ageing and are nowhere near the ability that they once were.
The recently-appointed Toffees boss needs reinforcements there, and he must blow West Ham out of the water to sign Diop this summer as the Frenchman would be a very good signing for him to make.
The 6ft 4in giant has already made 95 appearances across all competitions for Toulouse after emerging through their youth academy and even though is just 21-years-old old, he has been handed the captain’s armband at his hometown club.
For someone of that age to already have presented leadership skills, as well as his aerial prowess and pace, it should be a no-brainer for Everton to sign him this summer.
£26million will be a lot of cash, but will it be worth it? Definitely.
It’s not everyday when the Toffees have the chance to sign a defender who has been eyed up by Barcelona this year, and Silva should be looking to make him a priority signing for the coming months.