OPINION
There’s no better feeling than a club making a signing who instantly repays their faith in him.
Take Issa Diop at West Ham. The young Frenchman only arrived in east London last summer, but has already established himself as one of the key components of Manuel Pellegrini’s side.
Despite being just 22, he was a rock steady presence at the heart of the Hammers’ defence, and is only likely to get better as time goes on.
It is perhaps no surprise, therefore, to learn that he is attracting attention from Manchester United, as reported by Sky Sports journalist Kaveh Solhekol on Twitter.
Manchester United are interested in signing Issa Diop and they are willing to pay £45m plus a player for the West Ham defender.
West Ham have let it be known that Diop is not for sale— Kaveh Solhekol (@SkyKaveh) June 15, 2019
According to Solhekol, the Reds are willing to offer £45 million plus a player for the 6’4″ colossus [Transfermarkt].
In a subsequent tweet, the reporter went on to claim that the Reds see Diop as a cheaper and younger alternative to Harry Maguire and Kalidou Koulibaly.
Issa Diop would be cheaper & younger alternative for Manchester United than Kalidou Koulibaly or Harry Maguire. £45m offer was discussed plus a United player. United players offered were both defenders. West Ham not interested
— Kaveh Solhekol (@SkyKaveh) June 15, 2019
And that speaks volumes as to just how good Diop is, and can be.
To be mentioned in the same breath as the likes of Maguire and Koulibaly, two of the best defenders in Europe, at such a young age shows just how much potential the Frenchman has, and the fact that United see him as a genuine long term solution to their ailing defence is testament to his abilities.
Sure, West Ham would rather they didn’t have big clubs sniffing around their star talents, but certainly, the fact that they do illustrates just how well their recruitment department is doing.
Diop can be world class.
