---
title: "Virals: EPL club enter ‘new talks’ over Issa Diop departure"
canonical: "https://readwestham.com/2022/01/28/virals-epl-club-enter-new-talks-over-issa-diop-departure/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Dan Clubbe"
section: "West Ham News"
published: "2022-01-28T06:50:00Z"
modified: "2022-01-28T06:50:00Z"
---

# Virals: EPL club enter ‘new talks’ over Issa Diop departure

[West Ham](https://readwestham.com/2022/01/27/virals-west-ham-named-among-suitors-for-liverpool-ace-nat-phillips/) defender [Issa Diop](https://readwestham.com/2022/01/19/west-ham-fans-welcome-absolutely-huge-fitness-boost/) 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](https://www.sofascore.com/player/issa-diop/825719) 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](https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/david-moyes-west-ham-kurt-zouma-aaron-cresswell-injury-latest-2021-premier-league-b974347.html) after the break, Diop could be out in the cold once more.

According to a report from [L’Équipe](https://www.lequipe.fr/Football/) (via [Get French Football News](https://twitter.com/GFFN/status/1486797218698911746) 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](https://twitter.com/GFFN/status/1486797218698911746?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

Perhaps unsurprisingly, the [six-cap France Under 21 ace](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/issa-diop/nationalmannschaft/spieler/272622/verein_id/9323) is reluctant to leave East London to join a battle to beat the drop.

This season Diop – described as a [‘monster](https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/west-ham-monster-issa-diop-vows-to-get-even-more-scary-after-jose-mourinho-praise-a3949976.html)‘ by Jose Mourinho – has made [17 appearances](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/issa-diop/leistungsdaten/spieler/272622) across all competitions for David Moyes’ side.

### READ WEST HAM VERDICT

Despite the imminent comeback of Zouma, selling the [£10.8million valued](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/issa-diop/marktwertverlauf/spieler/272622) 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](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/issa-diop/profil/spieler/272622) at the London Stadium.

Until then Moyes would be wise to retain [all defensive options](https://www.whufc.com/teams/first-team/squad) having muddled through a recent crisis.