---
title: "Virals: EPL clubs ‘establish contact’ with West Ham over Issa Diop move"
canonical: "https://readwestham.com/2021/12/29/virals-epl-clubs-establish-contact-with-west-ham-over-issa-diop-move/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Dan Clubbe"
section: "West Ham News"
published: "2021-12-29T17:00:00Z"
modified: "2021-12-29T17:00:00Z"
---

# Virals: EPL clubs ‘establish contact’ with West Ham over Issa Diop move

[West Ham](https://readwestham.com/2021/12/29/perry-groves-applauds-excellent-jarrod-bowen-display/) have reportedly received indications from two Premier League clubs of a desire to sign central defender Issa Diop.

The 24-year-old has become a pivotal part of David Moyes’ side in recent weeks following long-term injuries suffered by [Kurt Zouma](https://readwestham.com/2021/12/08/trevor-sinclair-urges-west-ham-to-enter-january-transfer-market/) and Angelo Ogbonna.

However, prior to the unfortunate circumstances, the Frenchman was on the [periphery of matters](https://www.sofascore.com/player/issa-diop/825719) in East London and often linked with a move away.

According to journalist [Santi Aouna](https://twitter.com/Santi_J_FM) on Twitter, Newcastle United and Watford have both ‘enquired’ regarding the defender.

> 🚨Info: Intérêt concret du [#Milan](https://twitter.com/hashtag/Milan?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) pour Abdou Diallo 🇸🇳 qui veut formuler une offre au [#PSG](https://twitter.com/hashtag/PSG?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw). Paris veut au moins 25M€. [#Newcastle](https://twitter.com/hashtag/Newcastle?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) est aussi intéressé.
>
> • Le club lombard s'est également renseigné sur Issa Diop 🇫🇷🇲🇦🇸🇳. [#Newcastle](https://twitter.com/hashtag/Newcastle?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) et [#Watford](https://twitter.com/hashtag/Watford?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) ont également noué des contacts. [pic.twitter.com/liYhGB3TAy](https://t.co/liYhGB3TAy)
>
> — Santi Aouna (@Santi\_J\_FM) [December 28, 2021](https://twitter.com/Santi_J_FM/status/1475902375684714496?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

Aouna claims that the top-flight strugglers along with AC Milan have ‘established contacts’ with the Irons as to the possibility of signing the [six-times capped](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/issa-diop/nationalmannschaft/spieler/272622/verein_id/9323) France Under 21 starlet.

So far this season the man signed for £22million from Toulouse ([BBC](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/44522330)) has made [13 appearances](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/issa-diop/leistungsdaten/spieler/272622) across all competitions.

### READ WEST HAM VERDICT

There is surely no world in which Moyes would sanction the departure of any defensive option in the January window.

Already down to the [bare bones](https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/southampton-tottenham-live-stream-score-b1983319.html) at the back, the Scot should be looking to bolster the ranks not further deplete them.

Whilst the long-term future of Diop remains [very much in the balance](https://football-italia.net/milan-transfer-obstacles-for-botman-and-diop/), the Frenchman may have to wait until the end of the season for a resolution.

Valued at £10.8million and under contract until 2023 ([Transfermarkt](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/issa-diop/marktwertverlauf/spieler/272622#:~:text=as%20%22Defender%22.-,With%20a%20market%20value%20of%20%C2%A310.80m%2C%20Issa%20Diop,players%20of%20the%20Premier%20League.)), the summer may pose different questions altogether.