According to a report from French outlet Foot Mercato, West Ham defender Issa Diop is one of two priority targets for Jose Mourinho to land in the summer transfer window – and the club have apparently already made contact with his agent over a potential deal.
The Hammers centre-back has started 22 games under both David Moyes and Manuel Pellegrini this season, reportedly inserting himself at the very top of Mourinho’s wish list alongside Wolves striker Raul Jimenez – with the Portuguese gaffer also receiving an unlikely potential boost in the race for Diop courtesy of defender Serge Aurier.
As per Foot Mercato, Diop has asked Aurier about what it is like to play for us, with Mourinho potentially hoping that Aurier can play a role in attracting him to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Should Spurs sign Diop?
Yes
No
According to WhoScored, while Diop falls flat in terms of matching our current roster’s tackles on average, the 23-year-old starlet does boast a superior amount of interceptions made per game than the likes of Davinson Sanchez and Toby Alderweireld – potentially highlighting his suitability under Mourinho.
It’s no secret that our boss has been a huge admirer of Diop in the past, speaking at length over the youngster’s performance after West Ham’s 3-1 win over Man United in a post-match interview with BT Sport back in September 2018.
Mourinho described the defender as a ‘monster‘ who ‘dominated‘ the aerial duels, with his €60 million price tag (£52.7 million) looking like a small price to pay from our manager’s perspective.
Whether or not we do swoop for the player remains to be seen, but one thing is certain, he could potentially offer that extra defensive quality.
He wont be leaving. West ham have said hes not for sale. Same old story – hey let’s put the latest slant on it ! Keep going eventually those not already bored will be !