Newcastle United and Watford would be interested in signing Issa Diop during the January transfer window should the AC Milan target leave West Ham, according to Foot Mercato.
Milan have contacted the Hammers to discuss the Frenchman’s situation as they seek to sign a new centre-half. Stefano Pioli is desperate to acquire a new option after the San Siro side lost Simon Kjaer for around six-months following anterior cruciate ligament surgery.
Diop’s name now features on the Rossoneri’s two-man shortlist with Paris Saint-Germain’s Abdou Diallo. Neither are first choice options at their respective clubs, while PSG are keen to downsize Mauricio Pochettino’s squad at Le Parc des Princes during the winter market.
Diop is emerging as Milan’s primary target, as the Serie A side have approached West Ham to discuss a transfer. But the Toon and Hornets may also threaten to rival their advances.
Newcastle and Watford would likewise be interested in potentially acquiring Diop in a mid-season transfer, should he leave West Ham. The 24-year-old has only amassed five Premier League appearances so far this season and did not feature until this month.
West Ham unlikely to grant Newcastle or AC Milan a Diop transfer
David Moyes held Diop to a seat on the Irons’ bench during their first 14 fixtures of the top-flight term. He also only fielded the Hammers’ £22m former club-record signing after losing Kurt Zouma to injury. The Scot had promoted Craig Dawson after Angelo Ogbonna’s injury.
But Zouma and Ogbonna’s absences will likely see West Ham deny AC Milan, Newcastle or Watford a transfer for Diop. The Frenchman and Dawson are Moyes’ only senior options without the London Stadium natives targeting mid-season deals of their own.
Diop can also deliver high-level performances when needed, despite being fourth-choice in east London. Irons assistant coach Stuart Pearce hailed the £67k-a-week enforcer after the Hammers beat Manchester United in this season’s Carabao Cup.
“I thought he was absolutely magnificent,” Pearce said, via quotes by football.london. “The longer the game went on, the more of a colossus he looked at the back. And he’s still in, relative terms, a very young man for a central defender.”
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