The El Hadji Malick Diouf West Ham transfer saga has taken a major turn, with the £50million-rated defender now expected to remain at the London Stadium and available for Sunday’s Championship opener against Burnley.
Diouf has been at the centre of intense Premier League interest this week. Brentford have pursued the Senegal international while Sunderland have also made an approach, leading to reports that West Ham could demand as much as £50m.
The direction of the story has now changed significantly.
El Hadji Malick Diouf West Ham transfer takes fresh turn
Standard Sport reports that Diouf now looks set to stay at West Ham and is available for Nuno Espírito Santo’s side at Turf Moor.
That is a major shift after several days in which a summer departure appeared increasingly possible.
Brentford had been preparing a package potentially worth around £40m, while Sunderland’s interest added another Premier League club to the race.
For now, however, Nuno appears set to retain one of the most valuable young players in his squad.
Diouf’s availability could also change West Ham’s team selection on Sunday.
ReadWestHam’s Burnley predicted XI published earlier on Thursday considered Ollie Scarles for the left-back role while Diouf’s future remained uncertain.
Nuno may now have another major option available.
Standard Sport also reports that James Ward-Prowse has returned to the first-team picture, while Tomáš Souček will miss the Burnley fixture.
West Ham could still be tested again if Brentford, Sunderland or another interested club returns with an offer closer to their valuation.
But the latest indication is strikingly different from the mood earlier in the week.
Rather than heading towards the exit, Diouf now looks increasingly likely to begin West Ham’s promotion campaign in claret and blue.
