Fulham coach Marco Silva is delighted to finally add West Ham United defender Issa Diop to his Premier League roster, speaking via Football Daily ahead of Saturday’s trip to Wolves.
Only a couple of days ago, the former Everton boss was bemoaning the lack of central defensive options at his disposal. Fulham, Silva said, had just Tim Ream and Tosin Adarabioyo to choose from, with Terence Kongolo out of sight and very much out of mind.
Since then, the Cottagers have doubled their number of defensive additions. Talk about answering your coach’s call.
After signing Shane Duffy on loan from Brighton and Hove Albion on Friday, one of Fulham’s most long-standing targets signed a five-year deal at the West London outfit too.
Diop – who cost West Ham £22 million when arriving from Toulouse back in 2018 – joins Fulham at a £7 million loss after struggling for fitness and form in claret-and-blue.
Silva is not concerned by Diop’s disappointing time at West Ham, however; Identifying the Frenchman’s versatility and two-footedness are two key reasons why Fulham were so keen to bring him in.
Fulham sign West Ham United defender Issa Diop in £15m deal
“He was a target from the moment we started planning for this season; Issa,” Silva says. “It was a long process but finally we have him with us. He is a player who, for sure, will add something different. Like with Shane (Duffy) as well.
“He can play easily on both sides – right-side and left-side – even if recently he’s been playing more on the left. He can play on both sides of our central defensive. That is really important for us. And that experience, that quality (he has)”
Fulham actually agreed personal terms with Diop back in July. But, like with Joao Palhinha, Andreas Pereira and especially Manor Solomon, they were made to wait to get their man. West Ham appeared to get cold feet after learning that new £30 million signing Nayef Aguerd needed surgery to correct an ankle problem.
Diop’s belated departure, then, suggests that the Hammers are confident about signing a replacement before September’s deadline. The adaptable Thilo Kehrer of PSG appears to be their top target.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
