There’s no shortage of talent sprouting up in Europe’s football, and the latest news is about Slavia Prague’s El Hadji Malick Diouf. The lad has attracted attention from scouts for his promising left-back potential. And besides his talents in the field, the young El Hadji is smart and has turned down first offers, knowing his worth.
This is where West Ham came into play, showing him that he’s worth €20 million, maybe even more. Diouf, a 20-year-old Senegalese defender, has seen his stock rise rapidly since joining Slavia Prague in early 2024. Within a single season, his reputation evolved from relative obscurity to one of the standout young players in the Czech First League. Scouts from England, Germany, and France have reportedly monitored his progress for months, but it is West Ham who appear to be acting with the most urgency.
And just like El Hadji could come from the outside to help England’s team, so too can local players enjoy bookmakers outside GamStop that Matt Bastock reviewed, where they all offer faster payments, larger bonuses, and higher wagers from anywhere in the UK. Fresh from afar could be what the locals need to up their edge. El Hadji scored seven goals and three assists in 24 league appearances, showcasing his attacking capabilities from the left flank. His rapid development has attracted interest from several European clubs, including West Ham, who view him as a potential long-term solution to their left-back position.
The Hammers are understood to have made an opening bid in the region of €20 million. Slavia, though, are said to be demanding closer to €25 million, a figure that would set a new record for an outgoing transfer from the Czech top flight. He’s not alone, as a welcome for Füllkrug was also recently, showcasing West Ham’s open doors. Club sources indicate that personal terms have already been agreed with the player, yet the two clubs are still some distance apart in finalising a fee.
The Hammers are reportedly under financial constraints, which may impact their ability to meet Slavia Prague’s valuation without prior player sales. The club has been exploring alternative options, such as Nathaniel Brown of Eintracht Frankfurt and Leif Davis of Ipswich Town, should negotiations for Diouf stall. The club’s scouting team remains optimistic about securing the Senegalese defender, given his potential and fit within the team’s tactical setup.
While that sort of gap might sound negotiable, some factors could complicate things. For one, Slavia doesn’t appear under pressure to sell. Diouf is under a long-term contract, and the club may be betting that his value could rise further if he features in European competition next season. There’s also the matter of Diouf’s injury earlier this year, a fractured fibula that kept him sidelined for several weeks in the spring. He returned before the end of the campaign, but West Ham may still be weighing the risk.
There’s also a broader context. West Ham, now under the management of Graham Potter, who wanted to sign an insane star contract, seems intent on reshaping their squad around younger, more dynamic players. Diouf fits that profile perfectly. He’s not yet a finished product, but he’s viewed as someone who can develop quickly under the right guidance. Signing him would be a signal of intent, and potentially a long-term investment in a position that has lacked consistency in recent years.
