MX23RW : Sunday, December 22 23:35:13| >> :60:2021:2021:

Fulham closing in on signing of West Ham United defender Issa Diop?

Fulham closing in on signing of West Ham's Issa Diop?
© Reuters
Fulham are reportedly closing in on the signing of West Ham United defender Issa Diop, who has less than 12 months left on his contract.

West Ham United have reportedly accepted a bid from Fulham for defender Issa Diop.

On Saturday afternoon, the Cottagers produced one of the performances of the weekend as they recorded a 2-2 draw with Liverpool in the Premier League.

Marco Silva lined up with the pairing of Tosin Adarabioyo and Tim Ream, who made a significant contribution in the club's Championship title-winning campaign in 2021-22.

However, the West Londoners are lacking depth in the centre of their defence, even with Shane Duffy having recently been brought in from Brighton & Hove Albion.

Silva has been eager to sign another fresh face as soon as possible with the likes of Chelsea's Malang Sarr and Manchester United's Eric Bailly having been linked with a switch to Craven Cottage.

Fulham head coach Marco Silva on the touchline against Liverpool on August 6, 2022.© Reuters

Nevertheless, according to Sky Sports News, Fulham have seemingly set their sights on finalising the transfer of Diop.

Despite once being a first-choice option at the Hammers, Diop has played fewer games in the Premier League each season since his arrival in 2018.

The 25-year-old made just 13 outings in the top flight during the last campaign with David Moyes largely preferring the likes of Kurt Zouma and Craig Dawson.

With Nayef Aguerd also signing from Rennes, Diop would have eventually had his game time further reduced upon the new signing's recovery from an ankle injury.

Chelsea's Mason Mount in action with West Ham United's Issa Diop in the Premier League on April 24, 2021© Reuters

That has left neither party being particularly keen to extend Diop's contract past 2023, resulting in what appears to be a parting of the way.

The report claims that Fulham are prepared to pay £13m plus add-ons to secure the Frenchman's services on a five-year contract.

Furthermore, a medical has been pencilled in for either Tuesday or Wednesday, with the player likely to be registered in time for the trip to face Wolverhampton Wanderers at the weekend.

Diop, who was once valued in the £40m bracket, will depart West Ham having made a total of 119 appearances in all competitions, scoring eight goals.

ID:491805:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect4955:
Written by
Darren Plant

Click here for more stories about Issa Diop

Click here for more stories about Fulham

Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Manchester United's Eric Bailly pictured on December 8, 2021
Read Next:
Fulham 'make bid for Man United's Eric Bailly'
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free daily transfer newsletter! Sent twice a day during the transfer window.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
FT
Lions
34-17
Bears
FT
Browns
6-24
Bengals
9.25pm
Patriots
@
Bills
FT
Titans
30-38
Colts
FT
Giants
7-34
Falcons
FT
Rams
19-9
Jets
FT
Cardinals
30-36
Panthers
FT
Eagles
33-36
Washington
9.05pm
Vikings
@
Seahawks
9.25pm
49ers
@
Dolphins
9.25pm
Jags
@
Raiders
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool16123137162139
2Chelsea17105237191835
3Arsenal1796234161833
4Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest179442319431
5Bournemouth178452721628
6Aston Villa178452626028
7Manchester CityMan City178362925427
8Newcastle UnitedNewcastle177552721626
9Fulham176742422225
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton176742726125
11Tottenham HotspurSpurs1772839251423
12Brentford177283232023
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd176472122-122
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham175572230-820
15Everton163761421-716
16Crystal Palace173771826-816
17Leicester CityLeicester173592137-1614
18Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1733112740-1312
19Ipswich TownIpswich172691632-1612
20Southampton1713131136-256


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!