West Ham defender Issa Diop has reportedly held ‘new talks’ regarding a possible move to Newcastle United.
The 25-year-old has been asked to step up for the Hammers in recent weeks due to the absence of Angelo Ogbonna and Kurt Zouma.
However, with fellow Frenchman, Zouma, in line to make a full return after the break, Diop could be out in the cold once more.
According to a report from L’Équipe (via Get French Football News on Twitter), the towering centre-back is a target for relegation-threatened Newcastle.
New talks today between Newcastle & West Ham defender Issa Diop (25) – if they convince the player, they will likely submit a bid to the Hammers – player currently unsure owing to their status as relegation candidates, according to L'Équipe.
— Get French Football News (@GFFN) January 27, 2022
Perhaps unsurprisingly, the six-cap France Under 21 ace is reluctant to leave East London to join a battle to beat the drop.
This season Diop – described as a ‘monster‘ by Jose Mourinho – has made 17 appearances across all competitions for David Moyes’ side.
READ WEST HAM VERDICT
Despite the imminent comeback of Zouma, selling the £10.8million valued Frenchman at this point would be a bizarre move for the club.
Should a new central defender arrive within the next few days then perhaps West Ham will cash in on Diop – who only has 18 months remaining on a deal at the London Stadium.
Until then Moyes would be wise to retain all defensive options having muddled through a recent crisis.
