Green Street Hammers
Fansided

£65+ what player turns West Ham’s head for Issa Diop?

By Adam Smith

LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 22: Issa Diop of West Ham United celebrates scoring his side's second goal during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Fulham FC at the London Stadium on February 22, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 22: Issa Diop of West Ham United celebrates scoring his side's second goal during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Fulham FC at the London Stadium on February 22, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

The saga continues as Manchester United weigh up an official bid for West Ham stand out defender, Issa Diop. It’s clear the Hammers don’t want to sell the French centre-back, but how much is too much to turn down?

On their weekly podcast, The West Ham Way, Dave Walker and ExWHUemployee discussed the possible inbound bid from Manchester United for Diop. The previous rumored bid was £45m plus Phil Jones, which incited laughter from Hammers supporters and was brushed aside by the board before the bid was even lodged.

This new potential bid, however, has me thinking. What would it take to pry Issa Diop out of Pellegrini and West Ham’s hands? The price listed was £65+ Rojo or Darmian, a much improved and enticing bid, but ultimately still not good enough.

More from Green Street Hammers - West Ham

It’s clear that the bump from £45m to £65m is a start, but a third choice left-back and bench centre-back simply aren’t good enough to make this move happen, but Manchester have a few players West Ham could do with in this negotiation.

To start, how about a starting centre-back for a starting centre-back? Yup, I’m talking Victor Lindelof. If United want to pry a young, exciting, future international starting centre-back from West Ham then the Irons need one back in return. The 24-year-old Swedish defender is United’s best defender, but Diop is an upgrade on him. If the Red Devils are convinced that Diop is their man and money is no object, kick in your best defender and consider the £65m as an upgrade fee.

Luke Shaw is another name that has to be considered. Left-back isn’t a position that Pellegrini thinks is necessary to upgrade on right now, but if Shaw could be included in this big money deal the player would be an upgrade on Cresswell and Masuaku and happily welcomed. I doubt United would want to include him as he is their starting left-back, but how badly do you want Diop?

The last option for me would be Scott McTominay. The 22-year-old Scottish international would be the ideal midfield partner for Declan Rice to grow alongside. His ability to recover balls in the midfield is great and his age suggests he would be a signing that would grow and mature in the team for years to come. As well, if Rice is to leave eventually McTominay would be a solid replacement.

Next. The View from Away – Let’s talk about Sex(y Mark Noble). dark

All three of these players are currently starters for Manchester United and thus shows how small the gap has become between these two teams. These players plus the £65m would probably be non-starters for United and I think that’s a good thing. West Ham are gunning for a top-6 place and Manchester United are currently in an unstable position. Keep Diop, let the Mancs flounder, and pass them in the table.