West Ham Exclusive: Nuno Makes Defender Transfer Stance Crystal Clear

By Kris Gonzo | Senior West Ham Columnist (Follow on X)

West Ham manager Nuno Espírito Santo is set to do everything he can to retain defender El Hadji Malick Diouf this summer.

The 21-year-old has enjoyed something of a mixed World Cup with Senegal and has been one of several Hammers players linked with a move away during this transfer window.

However, when Claret & Hugh spoke to an agent who has been involved in numerous West Ham transfers over the years, he made it clear that Nuno has no intention of letting the left-back leave.

“He Wants To Keep Diouf”

“I don’t think Nuno is looking for a left-back,” was the response when we asked which positions West Ham were currently putting feelers out for.

“He wants to keep Diouf.”

It’s a short answer, but one that’s telling.

Part Of The ‘Key Players’ Plan

Whilst the club have accepted that Mateus Fernandes will leave, the pledge to retain as many “key players” as possible does appear to be a serious one.

Crysencio Summerville, Jean-Clair Todibo and Aaron Wan-Bissaka are all expected to leave the London Stadium this summer, but Nuno is under no pressure to sell anybody he doesn’t want to.

Promotion Is The Priority

West Ham’s priority remains immediate promotion back to the Premier League, and it would appear Diouf is viewed as an important part of achieving that objective.

Given his age, delivery from crosses and room for development, it isn’t difficult to understand why Nuno is so keen to keep hold of him.

With Daniel Kretinsky’s backing expected to remove the need for cut-price sales, West Ham look to be in a far stronger position to resist interest in players we genuinely want to keep.