- David Moyes’ Everton exploring deal for El Hadji Malick Diouf
- Moyes served as West Ham United boss on two separate occasions
- The Hammers remain in the Premier League relegation zone
David Moyes may be preparing to raid former club West Ham United this summer, with Everton intensifying their interest in defender El Hadji Malick Diouf ahead of the transfer window.
Diouf, 21, has had a breakout season despite West Ham’s troubles, establishing himself as one of the club’s star players owing to his dynamism, attacking drive, and deadly delivery from wide areas. The left-back has five assists in 33 games this season and is already receiving interest from teams in England and Europe in anticipation of the Hammers’ potential relegation.
West Ham currently remains in the relegation zone, but head into the Premier League final day this weekend with a chance to climb out of the danger zone after Tottenham Hotspur’s loss to Chelsea on Tuesday night. 17th-place Spurs are two points ahead of Nuno Espírito Santo’s side; however, Moyes has a chance to aid the Hammers’ survival hopes as his Everton take on Spurs on Sunday.
David Moyes’ Everton exploring deal for El Hadji Malick Diouf
Everton are reportedly ramping up their chase of Diouf after the former Slavia Prague man impressed in the first season in east London, according to Football Insider.
The Senegalese international has emerged as one of Everton’s top defensive targets as Moyes seeks to revamp his team following his return to Goodison Park. The Toffees are expected to strengthen at full-back this summer, especially with senior captain Seamus Coleman’s announced departure and questions over whether Vitaliy Mykolenko remains Moyes’ long-term first choice on the left side.
Although Diouf arrived at West Ham the year after Moyes’ departure in 2024, it is expected that the Scot has been eyeing up his former club’s top talents since joining Everton and may attempt to take advantage of West Ham’s increasingly shaky financial situation.
El Hadji Malick Diouf vs Vitaliy Mykolenko 2025/26 Premier League Statistics per Fotmob
| Matches (Starts) | Assists | Tackles per 90 | Interception per 90 | Clearances per 90 | |
| El Hadji Malick Diouf | 29 (31) | 5 | 1.48 | 1.06 | 3.85 |
| Vitaliy Mykolenko | 32 (32) | 1 | 1.51 | 0.94 | 4.45 |
Former West Ham scout Mick Brown, who previously worked with Moyes, believes the defender is an ideal fit for Everton’s style. “Diouf would be a good fit for the way Everton play,” Brown told Football Insider.
Everton’s rising interest in Diouf will further heighten suspicions about a potential summer fire sale if the team fails to maintain its Premier League position. Reports suggest that the Hammers may need to generate £100 million through player sales, with Diouf, like club captain Jarrod Bowen and Matues Fernandes, now regarded as the club’s most prized assets.
Moyes has already pillaged former clubs in the transfer market before, and with Everton aiming to build on their promising season, Diouf might be the first player persuaded away from the London Stadium.
