‘West Ham pushing to agree signing of player close to ‘Tomas Soucek’
West Ham are advancing in talks over a deal to sign Slavia Prague star El Hadji Malick Diouf, according to their former senior scout.
Mick Brown, who also worked as the chief scout at Man United and Sunderland and remains very well-connected at his former clubs, exclusively told Football Insider that the Hammers have been in talks with the 20-year-old’s agent.
West Ham have a well-established working relationship with Slavia Prague thanks to Daniel Kretinsky’s investment and plan to utilise their connections again.
After turning down a £17.5million bid already, Slavia Prague are believed to be holding out for £20million for the Senegal international, and hope to inspire a bidding war.
Diouf impressed potential suitors during Senegal’s 3-1 win against England at the City Ground last month, and the Hammers are not along in their pursuit.
This comes after Brown told Football Insider on 6 February that West Ham want to sign a left-back as a priority amid concerns about Emerson Palmieri’s performances.
West Ham close in on signing Emerson replacement
Brown told Football Insider in November that West Ham are working on replacing Emerson and have been eyeing new left-backs since the January window.
The former scout, who has a wealth of experience in top-level player recruitment after over a decade at Man United during their most successful period, has explained that the Hammers have been holding talks with Diouf’s agent in recent weeks.
“West Ham have been looking to sign a left-back,” he told Football Insider.
“It’s a position they’ve wanted to strengthen in for a while, because from what I’m told they’re not completely convinced by Emerson.
“Now they’re looking at the lad from Slavia Prague, who of course they have good links to.
“A lot of that comes from the influence at boardroom level, but they brought in Soucek and Coufal and they know plenty about the players at that club.
“The Czech part-owner will be playing a big part in it, I’m sure.
“Diouf’s agent has been speaking to the chairman, which I always think is an issue at West Ham when the chairman starts speaking to different agents.
“They can’t base the deal just on that, they have to use their scouting knowledge.
“But it seems like this is a deal they want to do and they’re making good progress towards it.”
Tottenham close in on Mohammed Kudus agreement
While the Hammers continue putting plans in place to strengthen Potter’s squad, they are also preparing to lose at least one key player.
Brown told Football Insider on 7 July that Tottenham have held new talks over Mohammed Kudus and are closing in on an agreement on a fee.
The Hammers are believed to be holding out for a fee closer to his £80million release clause, but there is a growing feeling that they will reach a compromise.
Brown told Football Insider in April that West Ham will accept offers for Kudus below his release clause, as neither Spurs nor Chelsea are willing to meet it.
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