Fulham have reportedly joined in behind a long line of potential suitors for Toulouse FC defender, Issa Diop. The 21-year-old to be one best young prospects to come out of Ligue 1 and already has been capped 39 times for the France youth sides.
Diop is a cemented starter as the Stadium Municipal with 95 total appearances and 9 goals and assists registered to his name. The centre-back has been an inspiring presence ever since his debut in 2015 alongside a 16-year-old Alphonse Areola.
The defensive pair successfully lifted the French side out of relegation on the very last day of the 2014/15 season to mark their name in the European top-flight. Now Diop is being watched by some of the continents elite sides and is reportedly priced at £26m with 2 years still left in his contract.
He is a graduate of the Toulouse youth ranks and has been with the side since he was just 9. The coach of the academy, Fabrice Garrigues was quoted, “He is a very positive person who always takes things with a smile, he is a great man and he is a real leader of men. I remember a very important Under-17s match against Nantes.”
“We were very poor in the first half and at the break, and although he was a year younger, he was the one who spoke up in the locker room, he took charge of the others, he revitalised everybody and we won 4-1.”
Diop’s leadership ability is one of his most redeeming qualities and speaks volumes of his future potential in world football. He towers over opposition forwards with his 6 feet 4-inch stature and is a consistent ball-winner both aerially and on the ground. His matured ability to read the other team’s attack is what sets him apart and has allowed him to rise so early into his playing career.
Diop is at the right point of his development curve where he can afford to take a transfer risk. Fulham have just been promoted to the Premier League after a gruelling battle through the promotion playoffs and are in dire need of top-flight talents.
The 21-year-old will expectedly be handed over a major role with just Marcelo Djalo and Tim Ream in the squad as recognized centre-backs. Ryan Fredericks is also set to join West Ham United at the end of this month and that will leave the backline heavily understaffed for a top-flight challenge.
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The Cottagers could use a rising star like Diop in their side but might not have the financial pedigree to challenge the likes of Everton, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur.
