West Ham 'doing everything' to keep El Hadji Malick Diouf after offer submitted

West Ham United are doing everything in their power to keep hold of El Hadji Malick Diouf despite interest from Premier League rivals.

The 21-year-old sparked interest from a number of top clubs with his performances at the London Stadium last season, despite ultimately suffering relegation.

Brentford have made the first move for his signature, but saw an opening bid of an undisclosed fee rejected as Nuno Espirito Santo has no plans to lose more key players.

Former West Ham scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that West Ham are determined not to weaken their squad as they eye an immediate return to the Premier League.

Following the big-money sales of Mateus Fernandes and Crysencio Summerville, the Hammers are under no immediate pressure to raise funds in the market.

Instead, they are hoping to spend money on building their squad around the likes of Diouf and Jarrod Bowen, who they hope to keep at the club long-term.

What is West Ham's plan for El Hadji Malick Diouf?

Brown warned Football Insider in January that West Ham may be forced to sell Diouf if they are relegated from the Premier League due to their need to raise funds.

A difficult financial situation, combined with losing out on the money from their top-flight status, led to growing concerns that keeping hold of star players could be difficult.

However, after agreeing to two major sales already, West Ham are hopeful of blocking moves for their other star players and view Diouf as a big part of their plans.

"It wasn't a surprise to hear that West Ham have turned down an offer for Diouf," Brown told Football Insider.

"He was one of the few players who actually impressed last season, whenever I saw him I thought he looked like a real top player who would bring a lot to any team.

"He fires those crosses in like missiles, it's really impressive and if you've got a striker waiting to get on the end of them, it must be a dream.

"So it's no surprise there are clubs interested in signing him, but at the same time, West Ham aren't going to want to lose him because he is such a valuable asset.

"They're going to be doing everything in their power to keep him at the club, whether that means making promises that they will return to the Premier League at the first time of asking.

"But they have to make efforts to convince him to stick around and not just move on at the first bit of interest from a club in the Premier League.

"If he stays, he will be an important part of Nuno Espirito Santo's plans for the upcoming season, and he can play a big role in any success they have."

Which other clubs are interested in Diouf?

Despite West Ham's reluctance to sell, a number of Premier League clubs have been keeping close tabs on the left-back, and could be inspired after Brentford's bid was rejected.

Keith Andrews' side are the most advanced in their interest, but the Senegal international's displays have also placed the likes of Man United, Aston Villa and Chelsea linked.

Meanwhile, Brown told Football Insider in May that Everton are big admirers of Diouf and could make a move as David Moyes aims to bolster his full-back options.

The left-back's crossing ability has sparked interest from the Toffees, who believe he would be a good fit for Moyes' style of play at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Everton's ambitions of signing a new left-back have placed Diouf firmly on their radar, and there is a growing feeling he could be the perfect choice.