West Ham will demand an obligation to buy if Liverpool make an attempt to sign centre-back Issa Diop on loan before the transfer window closes, according to The Athletic.
The Premier League champions are desperate to strengthen their options at centre-back following an injury crisis and they have identified the Frenchman as one of their targets.
However, the Hammers won’t let Diop move to Anfield unless they agree to pay in excess of £20m for the defender at the end of the season.
The 24-year-old has fallen down the pecking order at the London Stadium, with manager David Moyes now favouring the likes of Craig Dawson, Angelo Ogbonna and Fabian Balbuena ahead of him.
Even so, West Ham paid £22m for Diop two and a half years ago and they will be expecting to, at least, recoup what they paid for him. It wasn’t long ago that Manchester United and Tottenham were being quoted £50m to £60m for the player but his poor form means the London club would be willing to accept a lot less.
