**West Ham remain in talks over El Hadji Malick Diouf, with ExWHUEmployee providing an update on the situation.**
Reporting on The West Ham Way Patreon, the club insider has advised that there is a current gap in valuation, with West Ham hoping his current club Slavia Prague will come down so a deal can be struck.
“As we having been reporting on the Patreon for a while now, our number one target for the left back spot is El Hadji Malick Diouf,” said the insider.
“We have been targeting the player for a while as we exclusively revealed and he ticks a number of boxes. He has a physical presence, he has pace, he is only 20 years of age and his career can only progress further from this point. This is the sort of value for money that West Ham have been looking for. We have a good relationship with Slavia Prague following the transfers of Soucek and Coufal from the club too.
“The sticking point however is the transfer fee. Slavia Prague are holding on for more than the £20m valuation that West Ham have placed on his head. West Ham are determined to get value for money with their signings this summer because money is tight and it is also felt that we overspent on a number of players last summer.
“West Ham at the moment are remaining firm over their valuation and may turn to other left back targets if Slavia will not budge.
“Alternative potential targets include: Nathaniel Brown who is a German under 21 left back currently with Eintracht Frankfurt. Leif Davis, Ipswich’s left back, who has impressed in Suffolk following his move from Leeds. Davis has been on the target list for a while now. The other option is, someone we mentioned yesterday, Oscar Mingueza, the Spanish international.
“West Ham hope that no other clubs will make a move for Diouf which could trigger Slavia Prague to lower their price as well.”