West Ham have reached a verbal agreement to sell El Hadji Malick Diouf to Brentford in a package worth £40million. The clubs have agreed £35m guaranteed plus add-ons. They still need to sign the documents before Brentford can complete the transfer.
West Ham agree £40m Malick Diouf transfer
Fabrizio Romano reports that the deal has received his “here we go” confirmation after West Ham and Brentford reached an agreement in principle.
Diouf is keen to join Brentford and return immediately to the Premier League. West Ham and Brentford still need to sign the paperwork before either club can announce the transfer.
The breakthrough follows several weeks of negotiations. The Guardian reported earlier on Wednesday that an agreement was likely soon after discussions advanced over a fee of approximately £35m.
West Ham signed Diouf from Slavia Prague for around £19m last summer. The guaranteed payment would therefore produce a profit of approximately £16m after only one season, rising to £21m if Brentford trigger every add-on.
Nuno needs a new West Ham left-back
Diouf’s departure will leave Nuno Espírito Santo with Ollie Scarles as his main senior option on the left side of defence.
West Ham have already examined possible replacements. ReadWestHam recently covered the club’s reported interest in Angers defender Jacques Ekomie, although no replacement agreement has emerged.
Diouf appeared from the bench at Burnley but missed the defeats by Charlton and Tuesday’s 4-1 victory at Southampton. His transfer should now progress quickly once Brentford complete the remaining formalities.
