Insider ExWHUemployee has revealed that West Ham United will trigger a move for a ‘ready-made replacement’ if and when Issa Diop departs.
Doubt was originally cast over Diop’s future at the London Stadium when it became clear that the Hammers were targeting Nayef Aguerd and Sky Sports reporter Dharmesh Sheth felt it would leave the Frenchman surplus to requirements.
Aguerd has, of course, since arrived in the East End, prompting newly promoted Fulham to test the Hammers’ resolve for a player they paid what was a club-record £22m for four years ago.
The Cottagers saw an initial bid of £12m turned down, with David Sullivan holding out for closer to £20m (as per Evening Standard).
Ex has now revealed there is still a chance that Diop could leave and has said that his exit will signal a move from West Ham for another centre-back of their own.
Speaking on The West Ham Way podcast, he said: “Diop could still go, and I’ve been told that we have a ready-made replacement, so as soon as Diop does go – if he does, then we go boom, and then we sign the ready-made replacement, who’s meant to be a good player; a player with a lot of potential as well.”
TIF Thoughts on West Ham…
While Ex never mentioned a name, he could be referring to Jordan Torunarigha, whom he did reveal in an exclusive post on The West Ham Way’s Patreon account, was in talks with the Hammers on the same day as these latest claims.
Nevertheless, with the 34-year-old Angelo Ogbonna only recently returning from a serious knee injury and Craig Dawson nursing an issue during pre-season, another centre-half could well be required to provide competition for Aguerd and Kurt Zouma should the club come to an agreement with a buyer for Diop.