Danny Mills has blasted the idea that West Ham United have rated Issa Diop at £75million amid summer interest from Manchester United.
West Ham were reported to have placed the world record-equalling valuation by the Telegraph after they rejected a bid from the Premier League giants.
Mills suggested that the valuation was ridiculous and claimed Diop is worth almost half the reported asking price.
Speaking to Football Insider, Mills said: “I don’t know, £30million, £40million? I’ve seen things that say West Ham have said £75million – that’s ridiculous.”
“I reckon if the figure got anywhere near the £40million mark then the two clubs would start having serious talks.”
The 22-year-old enforcer arrived from Toulouse for £22million last summer and quickly became a mainstay under Manuel Pellegrini, making 38 appearances for the Hammers.
OPINION
You can look at this in two different ways. Mills is definitely right to say that the suggested £75million asking is ridiculous as that would place Diop on the same level as Virgil Van Dijk who has quickly become one of the world’s best defenders since his move to Anfield under Jurgen Klopp. Where the former England international may slip up is when he suggests Pellegrini would accept half of that amount for his marquee defender. Manchester United reportedly made an offer nearing £40million, and that was rejected so there is no chance that serious talks could take place should another bid that is similar comes in. The Frenchman certainly has all the attributes to continue to thrive in the Premier League and another couple of years with West Ham challenging for Europe could see the 22-year-old improve dramatically. The London club will be in no rush to sell, and the reported £75million asking price will no doubt have been placed as a deterrent for the top six sides this summer.
