WEST HAM have reportedly rejected a £15million bid for Issa Diop from Fulham – with boss David Moyes holding out for more.
The Frenchman has tumbled down the pecking order after the Hammers bought in defensive reinforcements this window.
Diop could be set to move from east to west London if Fulham stump up the cash
Newly-promoted Fulham see Diop as the perfect man to bolster their back four, with the London club’s shambolic defending central to their last two Premier League relegations.
But reports suggest Craven Cottage chiefs are going to have to up their offer in order to secure Diop.
Footmercato report that West Ham are holding out for something closer to £18m on the defender, with Fulham’s £15m offer falling short.
The 25-year-old looks set to struggle for first-team football at the London Stadium after the big money signing of Nayef Aguerd from Rennes.
The Moroccan signed a five-year deal when he moved to east London for £30m last month.
He could now partner with Kurt Zouma or Craig Dawson in the West Ham defence, leaving Diop without a first-team role.
Fulham have yet to make a signing in the back this summer – despite their leaky defence contributing to them falling out of the top flight immediately after their last two promotions.
The Cottagers had the fifth-worst defence as they finished 18th in the 2020/21 season.
Two seasons earlier, they conceded a shocking 81 goals and went down in 19th with the worst defence in the division.
Tim Ream and Tosin Adarabioyo were the main centre-backs last season as Fulham won the Championship.
The club’s reinforcements so far this summer have focused on the top end of the pitch with former Manchester United midfielder Andreas Pereira signed for £13 million, and winger Manor Solomon bought in from Shakhtar Donetsk.
They have also signed central midfielder Joao Palhinha from Sporting Lisbon and are edging closer to signing right-back Kevin Mbabu from Wolfsburg.
