Saints Marching
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Four centre-backs linked to Southampton after Vestergaard exit

By Marc Walker

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 25: Phil Jones of Manchester United during the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Manchester United and Rochdale at Old Trafford on September 25, 2019 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 25: Phil Jones of Manchester United during the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Manchester United and Rochdale at Old Trafford on September 25, 2019 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images) /
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Issa Diop (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Issa Diop (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /

Issa Diop

According to a report from Foot Mercato (via Sports Witness) back in July, Saints are one of three teams interested in taking Diop from West Ham.

Wolves and Crystal Palace are named as the other teams competing with Saints after seeing Diop unable to hold down a regular place in the West Ham team. Given that he is one of four or five centre-backs in David Moyes’ squad right now though, he will still be in their plans for now.

Despite being relatively young at 24, Diop has some good top-flight experience under his belt in both France and England. He played 85 games for Toulouse in Ligue 1 before a £22m transfer to the Hammers and has since played 83 times in the Premier League.

If it is a dominant player that Saints want to go for then Diop could be a smart piece of business. However, he would command a high fee even if West Ham wanted to let his go.

Foot Mercato suggest that loan offers have been made with an option to buy included, but this would surely not be acceptable for West Ham without a direct replacement of their own through the door.

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