West Ham’s Issa Diop was a loan target for Premier League champions Liverpool as they looked to sign emergency cover for a decimated group of centre-back options, according to The Athletic.
The Reds ultimately opted to sign Preston’s Ben Davies permanently and Schalke’s Ozan Kabak on loan to fill the void left by season-ending injuries to the likes of Virgil van Dijk, Joel Matip and Joe Gomez.
However, Diop was very much seen as a viable alternative at Anfield, with Liverpool’s recruitment staff going so far as to make enquiries as to the availability of the French centre-half. It is noted by The Athletic that the closeness in league position between both sides as they vie for a European finish was a stumbling block in the likelihood of a deal being completed.
Any loan deal for Diop would have reportedly necessitated an obligation to buy the player outright for upwards of £20m at the end of the season, something which Liverpool were unwilling to do.
At the time of signing in the summer of 2018, Diop broke West Ham’s transfer record in a £22m move from then-Ligue 1 side Toulouse. The France youth international has struggled for minutes this season, with the likes of Angelo Ogbonna and Craig Dawson preferred by David Moyes, so he was consequently made available for loan.
According to The Athletic, Torino centre-back Gleison Bremer and Real Madrid’s Eder Militao were other targets linked with a move to Anfield.
Read West Ham Verdict
There is a commendable caution in retaining Diop. West Ham are truly looking up the table, making his presence in the squad crucial in case circumstances necessitate his inclusion in the team.
Striking a deal to aid a direct rival is a two-pronged assault on the club’s ambitions to retain enough depth for a European charge as well as to fend off any potential boons to rivals.
