‘West Ham to get rid of Emerson amid new El Hadji Malick Diouf bid update’
Emerson Palmieri’s future at West Ham has been thrown into doubt as Graham Potter targets a move for El Hadji Malick Diouf.
The Brazilian full-back has been a constant performer for the Hammers since joining on a £15million deal from Chelsea in 2022 [BBC Sport], going on to make 113 appearances, notching five goals and five assists.
However, the new manager is likely to put his own twist on the squad this summer after failing to improve on Julen Lopetegui‘s torrid reign, with the Irons falling to 14th in the Premier League table last season.
Diouf has caught a lot of attention from clubs across Europe, especially following his performance against England at the City Ground, and also bagging seven goals and three assists in 41 games last term.
Mick Brown told Football Insider that West Ham are pushing to sign Diouf, even despite several teams being interested this summer, and the news could be extremely worrying for Emerson.
West Ham pushing to sign El Hadji Malick Diouf
According to The Times (8 July), the Hammers are now considering a third bid for Diouf, with Slavia Prague wanting £17million up front for the full-back this summer.
It is understood that the 20-year-old defender was the subject of a bid from Crystal Palace, and if Potter’s side are to secure his signature, the club would attempt to sell Emerson, who has been in East London for three seasons.
Graham Potter to rebuild squad at the London Stadium
Football Insider verdict
Stefan Borson told Football Insider that West Ham will want to rebuild the squad to avoid following in the steps of Leicester City, who have crashed back down to the Championship.
Flushing out some of the older players would certainly mark the start of a rebuild at the London Stadium, with Emerson, James Ward-Prowse, Guido Rodriguez, Tomas Soucek, and Niclas Fullkrug all playing big roles.
Michail Antonio, 35, could also make a dramatic return to the Hammers’ squad after a miraculous recovery from injury, and he would only increase the age of the current team.
Potter is already under serious pressure at West Ham after winning just five of his first 19 matches in charge, with little sign of improvement during his short reign so far.
Mick Brown told Football Insider that West Ham will target a “top-class” defender following a series of awful performances at the back last season, conceding 62 goals in 38 games.
Only five teams conceded more goals than the Hammers in the Premier League, and if Potter wants to be successful in East London, he will need to improve the back line drastically.