West Ham have agreed a deal worth up to €25m (£22m) to sign defender Issa Diop from Toulouse. Sky Sports reported ‘terms were agreed’ in principle last week for the highly-rated centre-back. The club have now officially announced the signing.
West Ham Complete Issa Diop Signing
Diop, 20, who made 37 appearances for Toulouse last season, is also captain of France’s Under-23 side. Though lacking Premier League experience, the youngster is highly rated. He could be a key signing for Manuel Pellegrini if he settles well.
Pellegrini has much work to do at West Ham this summer if he is to build a squad of players capable of making a vast improvement on their dismal Premier League campaign last term.
The Hammers’ new boss is wasting no time in seeking to boost his defensive wall. By securing the deal to bring right-back Ryan Fredericks from Fulham a few weeks ago, he set the ball quickly rolling.
Fabianski Spells Hart-Break for Joe
Relegated Swansea’s goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski is also verging on an East London move. The claret and blue defensive wall will be looking much altered come August. The move is a blow for beleaguered Joe Hart. The former Manchester City number one also snubbed by Gareth Southgate for the World Cup squad, despite his international experience.
Elsewhere on the pitch rumours, are still rife of Pellegrini’s interest in Lazio winger Felipe Anderson, who weighs in with a reported £25m plus price-tag.
Super Mario Joins the Brady Bunch
West Ham have also confirmed the appointment of Mario Husillos as their director of football. The 59-year-old left his role as Malaga’s sporting director a week ago.
Argentinian Husillos had a long playing career, including time at Malaga and Boca Juniors before moving into management at Almagro.
The board at West Ham it seems are implicating many changes for when the London Stadium opens for business again in August. The club can ill-afford the many empty seats that were so apparent last term. Or a repeat of the violent anger that erupted from protesters that overflowed on to the pitch.
Pellegrini will be looking to remodel the side, and re-ignite the support from the once die-hard fans. With so much happening already, he has made a proactive start.
