West Ham United fans expect their side to make some high quality signings in the summer.
West Ham United manager Slaven Bilic
Reports emanating from France suggest that Arsenal will battle with Tottenham Hotspur to sign Toulouse centre-back Issa Diop, according to French media outlet France Football.
The 20-year-old is highly regarded in both his homeland and on the continent as a whole, and he will surely prove to be a terrific signing for whoever manages to win the race for his signature.
And the Hammers should seriously consider challenging their London rivals for the Toulouse man.
Slaven Bilic’s side have managed to run their season around over the past couple of months, but they have still struggled defensively, and their tally of 43 goals conceded in the 25 Premier League games they have played thus far is the highest amount out of the teams currently occupying the top 13 positions in the table.
And the Croatian will surely be looking to strengthen his backline during the course of the summer transfer window.
Time is not on the side of James Collins and Jose Fonte, and a younger more athletic defender would be just what West Ham need, if they are to improve next season.
Toulouse defender Issa Diop
The France under-21 international has spent his entire career with Toulouse, and despite his tender years, he is already relatively experienced in playing at the highest level, having made 43 appearances for the Ligue 1 outfit.
Challenging Spurs and Arsenal for Diop will by no means be an easy task, but the Hammers could tempt the young Frenchman to move to the London Stadium with the promise of more regular first-team football.
He is a fantastic talent, with a wonderful future ahead of him, and it is players like this who Bilic should be targeting this summer, rather than old washed-up has beens.
West Ham’s recruitment needs to be based on specific qualities that a player can bring, and future potential, rather than reputation alone.
West Ham United manager Slaven Bilic
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