Latest reports in England are confirming that West Ham United are one of the many clubs chasing Ligue 1 star Issa Diop. The Toulouse defender has been in extremely form for the entire duration of this season and he has reportedly drawn the interest of other Premier League big shots as well including north London rivals Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur.
The 21 year old defender who plays for Ligue 1 side Toulouse also has sparked the interest of European giant and Spanish league champions Barcelona. With so many top sides interested in securing the youngster’s signature, it can be said for certain that the player will be in high demand and West Ham United will not find it easy to bring in Diop.
Diop is a physically strong and well-built defender. He is strong in the air and has a presence in the box in this early age. The player reads the game well but still needs more maturity to make the smart decisions in tricky situations. Given his physical ability and technical ability, the player more often than not makes an advanced tackle which, when it works, is perfect.
However, it does not work on some occasions as well which leaves the player in a stranded situation and his defence exposed. He can make a good tackle, both sliding and standing and is good with his marking from set pieces. His build is ideal for a West Ham or any other side for that matter in the English Premier League where the game is played fast and it is brutal in terms of physicality.
Although the defender is being chased by top sides like Tottenham Hotspur, Barcelona and Arsenal, he would be smart to decline them. The sole reason for this would be the lack of game time he would get at the clubs. Barcelona have an established defensive pairing in Gerard Pique and Samuel Umtiti, Spurs have Jan Vertonghen and Davinson Sanchez and although Arsenal are going through a mini-defensive crisis, they will surely get more first team signings done over the summer.
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That would mean that West Ham, despite not being the most attractive offer, would be the best choice for Diop. The player will be a part of the new team Manuel Pellegrini is building at London stadium and will get regular game time at the club to learn and build himself for the future.
