Report: Arsenal asked West Ham United for the availability of Issa Diop

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Arsenal reportedly made a move for West Ham United defender Issa Diop three weeks ago, according to French outlet Foot Mercato.

The Gunners are trying desperately to bolster their defensive ranks and had asked the Hammers what the availability of Diop was.

It seems likely that Arsenal baulked at West Ham’s demand for £65 million to prise the central defender away from the London Stadium.

Boss Unai Emery has added a defender to his ranks already this summer. William Saliba has signed for the Gunners, although he has returned to St Etienne on loan for the 2019/20 campaign.

Diop was in fine form for the Hammers last season following his £22 million move from Toulouse (BBC Sport).

The 22-year-old enforcer missed just five league games for Manuel Pellegrini’s team and would have been a fine signing for the Gunners.

TBR Verdict

The £67,000-a-week performer (Spotrac) would have fit in nicely with the ethos of a young Arsenal squad.

At 22, he has plenty of years ahead of him and on last season’s form, he proved himself to be a player capable of playing for a top European club.

Arsenal are crying out for defenders. At the heart of the back four the unreliable Shkodran Mustafi is still at the club; Laurent Koscielny could well leave too.

Diop would have been a cracking signing for the Gunners but it now looks like a deal consigned to memory.

With £71 million being spent on Nicolas Pepe, the budget will have been decimated considerably.

Whether Arsenal go back for Diop in 12 months time, remains to be seen.