West Ham United have now agreed a deal to sign a “powerful” player for a fee of £19m plus add-ons, who is set to become their first new summer signing, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.
Hammers in need of major summer rebuild
West Ham fell below their usual standards in the 2024-25 campaign, finishing in 14th place, while the recent departure of Mohammed Kudus only exacerbates the need for Graham Potter to make a number of additions to his squad this summer.
There have been suggestions that Kudus’ departure, which raised £55m, could help fund the rebuild, with Potter in need of younger players, having fielded the oldest average starting XI in the Premier League last season.
However, like many clubs, it has become difficult for the Irons to abide by PSR rules, especially now they are having to go without European football, which could make it difficult to bring in a new striker, goalkeeper, central midfielder and left-back.
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That said, it appears as though they are now very close to strengthening one of those positions, with Romano recently taking to X to reveal that a deal has been agreed to sign Slavia Prague left-back El Hadji Malick Diouf.
The Hammers have recently submitted an improved offer of €22m (£19m) plus add-ons, which has been accepted by the Czech club, and Diouf has been given permission to travel to London for his medical.
The defender has been a key target for quite some time, as revealed by ExWHUEmployee, who said: “We have been targeting the player for a while as we exclusively revealed and he ticks a number of boxes. He has a physical presence, he has pace, he is only 20 years of age and his career can only progress further from this point. This is the sort of value for money that West Ham have been looking for.”
"Powerful" Diouf could be solid signing for the Hammers
Not only does ExWHUEmployee believe the youngster can kick on at the London Stadium, but he has also received high praise from U23 scout Antonio Mango, who once described the full-back as a “powerful dribbler”.
West Ham certainly need to bring in a left-back this summer, given Aaron Cresswell’s departure, and the starlet already has a great deal of experience at first-team level, having made 50 senior appearances for Slavia Prague.
The Senegalese defender is particularly impressive from an attacking point of view, having collected nine goals and four assists during that time, courtesy of often playing in a slightly more advanced role.
Diouf could be a solid signing for the Hammers, and barring any late hiccups, it appears as though he is set to become their first signing of the summer.