El Hadji Malick Diouf's stats show he perfectly suits Brentford masterplan

Brentford have reportedly agreed a fee worth up to £40million with West Ham United for the signing of El Hadji Malick Diouf.

The 21-year-old will sign a long-term deal with the Bees, who have pursued him throughout the summer.

The Senegal international arrived at the London Stadium last summer in a £19m deal, and was among few standouts as the Hammers were relegated.

Diouf's crossing is perhaps his most prominent attribute, with the left-back having earned three assists in his opening five Premier League games crosses.

As the season drew on and West Ham struggled more and more, mistakes crept into the Senegal international's game, but there remains excitement around his potential.

Diouf's sale is expected to take West Ham's incoming fees this summer to over £200m, following Mateus Fernandes and Crysencio Summerville's big-money moves.

Brentford are looking to become box dominators

Brentford are rapidly becoming one of the most fascinating projects in the Premier League.

Keith Andrews' side is packed with talent, with Mamadou Sangare, Jannik Schuster, Callum Wilson and Jaidon Anthony already making for exciting acquisitions this summer.

Diouf will add to that, and he is made for the way Brentford already like to play. The Bees are physical and dominant in the box.

Set-pieces are a huge asset of theirs, with Michael Kayode's long throw-ins feared up and down the Premier League.

Last season in the Premier League, only Everton won more aerial duels than Brentford (710), and only three teams completed more crosses (185).

In Diouf, Andrews has acquired potentially one of the most dangerous crossers of the ball in the league.

Only eight defenders completed more crosses per 90 than the 21-year-old (0.93) last season, and only nine completed more overall (28).

Given West Ham's lack of possession and attacks, the defender has the potential to deliver far more at a much better rate when crossing to the likes of Igor Thiago.

Who are the Premier League's best crossers?

If Brentford were to target the Premier League's best crosser of the ball in the Premier League, Maxim De Cuyper would statistically be at the top of the list.

The Belgian completed 2.23 successful crosses per 90 last season, more than anybody else in the top flight.

De Cuyper would come in at 10th in Europe's top five leagues, with Inter Milan's Federico Dimarco taking the top spot with 3.37 crosses completed per 90.

While Brentford would be unlikely to have a chance of signing the Italian, their ability from wide areas is undoubtedly boosted by the signing of Diouf.