West Ham have suffered a major blow in their pursuit of El Hadji Malick Diouf but there’s now a fresh twist that could give the Hammers hope.
The Hammers have received a boost after their move to sign Slavia Prague star El Hadji Malick Diouf hit the buffers.
West Ham have showed their first signs of life in the summer transfer window this week.
Fans have been highly critical of West Ham’s board over the club’s financial situation, which means Graham Potter must sell players in order to make signings.
Yet the Hammers have wasted the entire bonus month of the summer window after FIFA extended it due to the Club World Cup.
West Ham hit Diouf stumbling block
There have been no sales and no signings so far for West Ham, who have been tipped by many to struggle in what is shaping up to be a fiercely competitive Premier League next season.
All three newly-promoted clubs have made a host of signings – now at 15 and counting between them.
With West Ham’s Premier League rivals threatening to leave them behind in the transfer market, there was some much-needed and welcome positive news in east London this week.
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West Ham’s window suddenly burst into life with confirmation the Hammers have made multiple bids for players, including an official move for Slavia Prague star Diouf.
El Hadji Malick Diouf playing for Slavia Prague
Photo by Pier Marco Tacca/Getty Images
It is claimed Germany Under 21 star Nelson Weiper is being lined up while reports from South America and Italy state West Ham have also bid for Palmeiras star Richard Rios.
Fabrizio Romano confirmed the Irons had an initial proposal of £17.5m rejected for Diouf, who shone in Senegal’s superb 3-1 win over England recently.
Slavia were said to be demanding over £20m for the 20-year-old left-back-cum-wing-back.
There was a significant development heading towards the weekend when a former Czech Under 19 teammate – and friend – of Tomas Soucek and Vladimir Coufal teased that the Hammers were close to signing Diouf.
New twist is great news for West Ham after major Diouf setback
Jiri Sodoma is a 30-year-old striker playing his football in the Czech National League. He claimed ‘agent’ Soucek had been key to the deal with his old club.
Sodoma has spent time playing Padel with Soucek and in a charity match with Coufal back in the Czech Republic in recent weeks.
So his information was taken very seriously by many Hammers fans.
A leading outlet in Czech Republic then doubled down on the claims, reporting West Ham are on the verge of signing Diouf in what would be a record fee for their country.
Jude Bellingham struggles to contain El Hadji Malick Diouf in England's defeat to Senegal
Photo by Nigel French/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images
As always seems to be the case when it comes to West Ham transfers, though, things are not quite that straightforward.
Amid claims Diouf was set to fly to London this weekend for a medical with the Hammers, a journalist delivered a disappointing update.
Jack Rosser claimed West Ham were not close to signing Diouf and had, in fact, seen a second bid rejected, not accepted.
That understandably sparked moans, groans and doom and gloom in Hammers circles.
But a new twist is great news for West Ham after that major Diouf setback.
Diouf deal not dead but Sullivan must pay £21.5m
Czech outlet Infotbal have confirmed Rosser’s claim that the Hammers have seen their second attempt to sign Diouf knocked back.
They go one further and state that West Ham’s second offer did not even reach the £17.5m Romano claimed was the amount of the first offer.
But there was positive news from the Infotbal update.
Because the site says its sources have assured them talks are continuing to reach a conclusion.
Although Slavia are making it perfectly clear to David Sullivan they will not accept a penny less than £21.5m.
“On Friday evening, the situation is such that if the package requested by Slavia does not land in Eden, Diouf will not travel to London this weekend.
“The reigning Chance League champions are still targeting 25 million euros (£21.5m).”
The report also confirms claims in England that Diouf has already agreed personal terms with West Ham in the hope of the Hammers paying the price Slavia want.