By Dave Langton
Nayef Aguerd’s injury blow has surely put Issa Diop’s hopes of an exit to bed.
The French defender has been a target for Fulham throughout the summer transfer window.
The two clubs had been in talks over a deal but Aguerd’s injury now means there is surely next to no chance of Diop being allowed to leave.
It would mean that Angelo Ogbonna, Kurt Zouma, and Craig Dawson are the only fit centre-backs at the club were Diop allowed to go through the exit door.
There remains the possibility that boss David Moyes could decide to dip into the transfer market to sign a replacement but that feels incredibly unlikely given that the club’s focus is elsewhere when it comes to incomings.
Gianluca Scamacca is closing in on his move from Sassuolo and the Hammers are also trying to do a deal for Eintracht Frankfurt’s Filip Kostic.
Diop seems certain to remain at the Hammers, as a result, meaning Fulham will surely have to look elsewhere, at least until January.
We surely have back luck with new signings getting injured. I hope Aguerd has a successful recovery.
Anyhow I’d sanction this exit as surely there would be a better option out there, maybe a loan to buy and hungry to prove themselves
I doubt there is a better option out there, Diop has shown he’s a class act in the past.
IMHO West Ham better off spending on a forward and Left back
If the offer is right I suspect Diop to be sold, we can get a reserve cb with potential to replace him or just elevate someone from the youth team to the bench, Rice can also cover CB, Zouma, Dawson when he is fit, it’s not optimal but it is what it is, no point in keeping a player that wants to go and Diop has been good to the club so we should play fair with him.
Diops asked to leave siting game time thats fair enough and i see Moyes sanctioning the move because he loves a seasoned centreback and i dont doubt Phil Jones mobile will be ringing shortly!
I have just read in the “Sun” Arsenal are in talks with Jared Bowens representatives to join them this window! Can’t see them having enough money!!
Don’t see where Bowen fits at Arse: Who drops from forward/attack/midfield?
Saka? Odegard? Viera? Smith Rowe? Pepe? New fella from Brazil?