Sources: Tottenham stance revealed as West Ham set Diop asking price

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21 Apr 2020, 1:15 am

Tottenham have an interest in signing defender Issa Diop but have no intention of meeting West Ham's £52million asking price, Football Insider understands.

The Londoners are assessing potential centre-back options as they look to strengthen their back line in this summer's window.

A Spurs source has told Football Insider that the club have been assessing Diop, 23, among multiple targets as they look at recruiting a top class central defender with his best years ahead of him.

It is early stages in the planning of the north Londoners, whose recruitment operation has been shut down until the end of May due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Tottenham are unlikely to spend more than £50m on any player this summer, and would not do so for Diop even though Jose Mourinho is a big admirer and previously described him as a "monster".

West Ham are likely to cash in on some of their senior stars this summer to make ends meet.

One of those who could go is Diop, who is established as the outstanding centre-back in David Moyes' side.

The east Londoners spent £22million on the 6ft 4in defender in the summer of 2018 and his value has escalated during his time in the Premier League.

Football's changed economics mean the Hammers' hopes of more than doubling the price of the Frenchman are now unlikely.

Fees are expected to be slashed across the board this summer as even elite clubs count the cost of slashed revenues with no matches being played.

Diop has made 22 league starts among 26 appearances in all competitions this season and has now featured 64 times since signing from Toulouse.

In other Tottenham news, Tanguy Ndombele has been tipped for a sensational Spurs transfer after big development.

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