Liverpool Manager Andoni Iraola
Liverpool Manager Andoni Iraola
Liverpool and Chelsea are weighing up a move for a defender who changed clubs only a few months ago, and the early figures being discussed suggest that prising him away from his new employers would require a substantial outlay from either side.
The player arrived at his current club at the end of August in a deal reported to be worth around £40 million, and although he has struggled to hold down a regular starting place since, Swiss outlet 4-4-2 reports that both clubs have already contacted his representatives, with formal offers potentially following soon.
The most striking detail concerns the price, as 4-4-2 states that a fee of around €50 million to €60 million is already under discussion, a figure that would hand the selling club an immediate profit on a player they signed little more than two months ago.
Senegalese left back El Hadji Malick Diouf joined Brentford from West Ham United after the Hammers’ relegation, and the contract he signed in west London gives the Bees every reason to hold firm in any negotiation.
When Brentford announced the signing, they confirmed that Diouf had agreed a contract running for five years with the club holding an option for a further year, which ties him to the Bees until 2031 and could keep him there until 2032, so there is no pressure on them to accept anything below their valuation.
His rise has still been rapid, with a €22 million move from Slavia Prague to West Ham in 2025 followed by 36 appearances and five assists in his only season at the London Stadium, while he also represented Senegal at the Africa Cup of Nations and at the World Cup this summer.
Liverpool’s interest is nothing new either, as reports suggest that in January 2025 that the club had contacted his agents before signing Milos Kerkez, at a time when they viewed him as a possible successor to Andy Robertson, and Slavia’s chairman openly admitted back then that he would be willing to sell to the Reds.
Whether Liverpool or Chelsea are prepared to pay such a sum for a player still finding his feet at Brentford remains the big question, especially after Liverpool’s heavy investment in Kerkez, but with the contract so firmly in their favour, the Bees are in no rush to lower their demands for anyone.
Support DaveOCKOP and enjoy the site completely ad-free. You’ll get an uninterrupted browsing experience while helping us continue to deliver the latest Liverpool news, breaking stories and exclusives. Go ad-free today.