Arsenal are reportedly interested in signing 23-year-old West Ham United defender Issa Diop, who is valued at £60 million by the Hammers.
According to a report from Metro, Arsenal are planning a raid on London rivals West Ham United in the summer transfer window, as they look to sign Frenchman Issa Diop, who has a £60 million price-tag.
Diop has made quite a name for himself since arriving at West Ham United from boyhood club Toulouse in the summer of 2018. While the East London outfit haven’t been performing at their best, the 23-year-old has been one of the few standout performers along with Declan Rice.
Diop has featured 64 times so far for West Ham, with 26 of those appearances coming in the ongoing campaign, during which he has also netted three goals. While the Hammers find themselves mired in the relegation battle, the French Under-21 international has fared quite well and seemingly has gathered admirers in Arsenal.
Arsenal’s defensive problems are there for everyone to see. There have been slight improvements since Mikel Arteta took over, especially in Shkodran Mustafi, whose form has been on an upturn of late.
However, Sokratis Papastathopoulos and David Luiz have lacked consistency in their game. Moreover, with the latter turning 33 next month and the likes of Calum Chambers and Rob Holding battling injuries, it makes sense that Arteta would want to strengthen his defensive contingent ahead of the next season.
Arsenal will be able to call upon William Saliba next season, once he returns from his loan spell at Saint-Etienne. The Frenchman has been performing very well for the Ligue 1 side and in pairing him up with compatriot Diop, Arsenal are likely to have a solid centre-back partnership for the future.
Diop had been heavily linked with Arsenal last summer as well, with the Gunners being quoted a transfer fee of £60 million. And the report from Metro says West Ham are likely to demand a similar figure, if not more, for the 23-year-old should Arsenal decide to firm up their interest in the Frenchman.
Diop is contracted with West Ham United till the summer of 2023. But, it remains to be seen if he stays put with the Hammers beyond the ongoing campaign amid serious interest from Arsenal.
