MX23RW : Thursday, November 7 22:04:15| >> :120:10894:10894:

Fulham closing in on signing of West Ham United defender Issa Diop?

Fulham closing in on signing of West Ham's Issa Diop?
© Reuters
Fulham are reportedly closing in on the signing of West Ham United defender Issa Diop, who has less than 12 months left on his contract.

West Ham United have reportedly accepted a bid from Fulham for defender Issa Diop.

On Saturday afternoon, the Cottagers produced one of the performances of the weekend as they recorded a 2-2 draw with Liverpool in the Premier League.

Marco Silva lined up with the pairing of Tosin Adarabioyo and Tim Ream, who made a significant contribution in the club's Championship title-winning campaign in 2021-22.

However, the West Londoners are lacking depth in the centre of their defence, even with Shane Duffy having recently been brought in from Brighton & Hove Albion.

Silva has been eager to sign another fresh face as soon as possible with the likes of Chelsea's Malang Sarr and Manchester United's Eric Bailly having been linked with a switch to Craven Cottage.

Fulham head coach Marco Silva on the touchline against Liverpool on August 6, 2022.© Reuters

Nevertheless, according to Sky Sports News, Fulham have seemingly set their sights on finalising the transfer of Diop.

Despite once being a first-choice option at the Hammers, Diop has played fewer games in the Premier League each season since his arrival in 2018.

The 25-year-old made just 13 outings in the top flight during the last campaign with David Moyes largely preferring the likes of Kurt Zouma and Craig Dawson.

With Nayef Aguerd also signing from Rennes, Diop would have eventually had his game time further reduced upon the new signing's recovery from an ankle injury.

Chelsea's Mason Mount in action with West Ham United's Issa Diop in the Premier League on April 24, 2021© Reuters

That has left neither party being particularly keen to extend Diop's contract past 2023, resulting in what appears to be a parting of the way.

The report claims that Fulham are prepared to pay £13m plus add-ons to secure the Frenchman's services on a five-year contract.

Furthermore, a medical has been pencilled in for either Tuesday or Wednesday, with the player likely to be registered in time for the trip to face Wolverhampton Wanderers at the weekend.

Diop, who was once valued in the £40m bracket, will depart West Ham having made a total of 119 appearances in all competitions, scoring eight goals.

ID:491805:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect4648:

Click here for more stories about Issa Diop

Click here for more stories about Fulham

Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Manchester United's Eric Bailly pictured on December 8, 2021
Read Next:
Fulham 'make bid for Man United's Eric Bailly'
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free match previews newsletter! Updates are sent twice a week.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool108111961325
2Manchester CityMan City1072121111023
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest10541147719
4Chelsea105322012818
5Arsenal105321711618
6Aston Villa105321715218
7Tottenham HotspurSpurs1051422111116
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton104421714316
9Fulham104331413115
10Bournemouth104331312115
11Newcastle UnitedNewcastle104331010015
12Brentford104151920-113
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd10334912-312
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham103251319-611
15Leicester CityLeicester102441418-410
16Everton102351017-79
17Crystal Palace10145813-57
18Ipswich TownIpswich100551021-115
19Southampton10118719-124
20Wolverhampton WanderersWolves100371427-133


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!