Leeds United have been credited with an interest in Slavia Prague left wing back El Hadji Malick Diouf. A report in the Sunday Mirror says the Whites, Nottingham Forest and Atalanta have all showed interest in the 20-year-old but West Ham are leading the race to sign the player.
The report states that the Hammers made an opening bid for Diouf which was worth £17.25m with add-ons which was knocked back by the Czech club. Slavia are believed to be looking for a £21.6m package – with an initial fee of £17.25m – but West Ham, who finished mid-table in the Premier League last term, have so far failed to reach those demands.
The Hammers remain in talks to sign the Senegal defender, who impressed in a 3-1 friendly win over England at the City Ground last month. Crystal Palace have given up hope of signing Diouf, having had two offers rejected for Diouf back in the January window, and are now chasing Ajax left-back Borna Sosa.
More defensive reinforcements are expected to arrive at Thorp Arch ahead of the 2025/26 Premier League season. The Whites are closing in on a deal for Lille left-back Gabriel Gudmundsson and are likely to sign another full-back should Sam Byram not extend his Elland Road stay.
Daniel Farke's squad will report in for the start of pre-season training tomorrow where they will be put through their paces by the coaching staff. New recruits Lukas Nmecha, Jaka Bijol and Sebastiaan Bornauw will meet their new teammates for the first time since moving to West Yorkshire.
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