West Ham: Source makes Diop claim

According to French news outlet L’Equipe (via Get French Football News), West Ham United centre-back Issa Diop has begun looking for a summer exit.

The lowdown: Departure on the cards

Having arrived at the London Stadium in 2018 after the Hammers agreed on a then-club record £22m fee with Toulouse (BBC), Diop has struggled to adjust to life in the English top-flight, making 120 appearances for the Hammers.

Since the return of manager David Moyes, Diop has found himself slipping down the pecking order in East London following the signings of Craig Dawson and Kurt Zouma, indeed, he has often found himself on the bench this season.

Previously, a report from the reputable French source has claimed that Lyon were keen on signing the powerful defender and it seems that the move could well be advancing…

The latest: Meeting held

Now, as per L’Equipe, translated by GFFN, the Ligue 1 club are believed to have held talks with the 25-year-old ahead of their Europa League quarter-final defeat at the hands of the Irons.

Under contract until 2023 (Transfermarkt), GSB may well look to cash in on the man once hailed as a ‘colossus’ by Stuart Pearce.

Therefore, it’s claimed in the report that West Ham will look for €10m (£8m) in order to part ways with the six-cap France Under-21 ace this summer.

The verdict: Take the money

Albeit Diop has shown flashes of brilliance during a mixed spell in East London, ultimately the Frenchman has proved to be all too inconsistent to be relied upon by both Moyes and Manuel Pellegrini beforehand.

Whilst the Hammers continue to thrive in Europe in particular, there can be no doubt that the squad is in need of defensive reinforcements in the summer as both Zouma and Angelo Ogbonna return from long-term spells on the sidelines.

However, despite the injuries, Diop has made just 25 fleeting appearances across all competitions this season, only completing 90 minutes on eight occasions in the Premier League, and is unlikely to be offered a new deal by the West Ham hierarchy as Moyes eyes targets elsewhere.

In other news: Italian source earmarks another West Ham ace for summer move! Find out more here.