{"id":153532,"date":"2018-06-19T13:20:26","date_gmt":"2018-06-19T17:20:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lwosonfootball.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/?p=153532"},"modified":"2020-12-21T19:28:44","modified_gmt":"2020-12-22T00:28:44","slug":"west-ham-23m-swoop-issa-diop","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/2018\/06\/19\/west-ham-23m-swoop-issa-diop\/","title":{"rendered":"West Ham in \u00a323.3 Million Swoop for Issa Diop"},"content":{"rendered":"

West Ham<\/a>\u00a0have agreed\u00a0a deal worth up to \u20ac25m (\u00a322m) to sign defender Issa Diop from Toulouse. Sky Sports reported \u2018terms were agreed\u2019 in principle last week for the highly-rated centre-back. The club have now officially announced the signing.<\/p>\n

West Ham Complete Issa Diop Signing<\/h2>\n

Diop, 20, who made 37 appearances for Toulouse last season, is also captain of France\u2019s Under-23 side. Though lacking Premier League experience, the youngster is highly rated. He could be a key signing for Manuel Pellegrini<\/a> if he settles well.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Fabianski Spells Hart-Break for Joe<\/h2>\n

Relegated Swansea\u2019s<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n

Elsewhere on the pitch rumours, are still rife of Pellegrini\u2019s interest in Lazio winger Felipe Anderson, who weighs in with a reported \u00a325m plus price-tag.<\/p>\n

Super Mario Joins the Brady Bunch<\/h2>\n

West Ham have also confirmed the appointment of Mario Husillos as their director of football. The 59-year-old left his role as Malaga\u2019s sporting director a week ago.<\/p>\n

Argentinian Husillos had a long playing career, including time at Malaga and Boca Juniors before moving into management at Almagro.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Embed from Getty Images<\/a>