West Ham look close to breaking their transfer window duck, according to breaking reports from the Czech media.
Late last night, reports began circulating from iSport.cz that an agreement had been reached with Slavia Prague for the signing of El Hadji Malick Diouf.
The 20-year-old wing-back has been the subject of intense media speculation since Wednesday, when Fabrizio Romano revealed that the Hammers had submitted a failed €20m bid for the player.
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On Thursday, Claret & Hugh reported that Slavia Prague would consider selling if West Ham matched their €25m valuation. Now, according to Czech sources, it appears a bid of €25m plus bonuses would be accepted for Diouf.
The news followed a bizarre twist last night when a Slavia fan—whose only claim to fame seemed to be knowing Tomáš Souček—announced that the Diouf-to-West Ham deal was about to break the Czech transfer record.
It had all the hallmarks of a “my best friend’s auntie’s neighbour knows a bloke” kind of rumour, but as it turns out, he might have been onto something. Whether he got lucky or had a genuine scoop, it now appears West Ham are closing in on their first summer signing.
If the deal goes through, Diouf would be seen as the long-term replacement for Emerson, who is nailed-on to leave the club this summer.