Graham Potter, El Hadji Malick Diouf
(Credit: Imago)
Joe Elvin
Fri 4 July 2025 13:24, UK
El Hadji Malick Diouf looks destined to sign a contract at West Ham in the coming days.
The 20-year-old Senegalese left-back enjoyed a breakthrough season at Slavia Prague last season, making 37 appearances and scoring seven goals.
Below, West Ham Zone analyses the potential numbers surrounding this move, including the likely transfer fee, salary and the shirt number that Diouf could wear next season.
El Hadji Malick Diouf
Diouf was one of the standout players in the Czech league last season (Credit: Imago)
Diouf looks set to sign for West Ham this week
Earlier in the week, this deal looked dead in the water.
Slavia Prague had rejected West Ham’s £17million bid for Diouf, and it was suggested that the Hammers wouldn’t increase their bid.
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It was rumoured that they had moved their attention to other targets like Ipswich full-back Leif Davis.
However, several media outlets are reporting that an increased bid from West Ham has been accepted, so Diouf now only has to complete the formalities to move to East London.
Graham Potter
Potter is eager for more signings at West Ham (Credit: Imago)
West Ham to pay record fee for Diouf
West Ham will pay around £21.5m for Diouf, according to Czech news outlet Denik Sport.
That figure would be a record fee for a player in the Czech league, eclipsing the £12.5m that Tottenham paid Slavia Prague for goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky in January.
It’s also significantly higher than what the Hammers paid for Emerson Palmieri in 2022.
Palmieri is believed to be unhappy at West Ham, and Diouf now looks like the prime candidate to take his starting spot on the left-hand side.
Based on what other young unproven players are earning West Ham, Diouf’s salary could be around £30,000-£40,000 per week, which would be a significant improvement on what he’s earning in Prague.
Emerson could be on his way out of West Ham (Credit: Imago)
Diouf could take the number 12 shirt at West Ham
Diouf dons the number 12 shirt for Slavia Prague, and that shirt number is currently vacant at the London Stadium.
Alternatively, Diouf might want to take the number 3 shirt vacated by left-back Aaron Cresswell after his release this summer.
Appearances Minutes Played Goals Assists
37 2830 7 3
El Hadji Malick Diouf 2024-25 statistics
The number 4 shirt vacated by Kurt Zouma is also available.
This is Graham Potter’s first summer transfer window as West Ham manager, and he has an eye for picking out obscure young talents, so it will be exciting to watch how Diouf gets on in claret and blue.
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