Manchester United are preparing to solve their defensive issues this summer as they are ready to pay up to £45m plus a player for Issa Diop.
According to Sky Sports, the Red Devils have made contact with West Ham United over a move for the 22-year-old French centre-back.
But the Hammers are reportedly ready to reject the offer and want at least £60m for the player.
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And West Ham have a strong hand in the negotiations as Diop arrived last summer and his current deal expires in 2023.
The West Ham defender signed from Toulouse for a reported
fee of £22m and has made 38 appearances across all competitions for Manuel
Pellegrini's side.
Diop received strong words of endorsement from José Mourinho last season after his performance in West Ham's 3-1 win against United.
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"[He had a] fantastic match," the ex-United manager told BT Sport at the time.
"Congratulations to the scout that found a 21-year-old kid Diop -- a monster who dominated in the duels."
United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjær is keen to fix the defensive crisis facing him at Old Trafford and bring in a first-choice centre-back.
The Red Devils have been linked with a move for Napoli centre-back Kalidou Koulibaly and have reportedly made an £84m bid for him.
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But the Italian club refuse to let the 27-year-old world-class Senegalese defender leave for less than £100m.
Leicester City's Harry Maguire, who was linked with the club
last summer, has once again emerged on United's radar.
But the 26-year-old English centre-back signed a new deal after the summer transfer window closed.
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With his future tied down until 2023, the Foxes are demanding at least £80m from United.
Solskjær completed his first summer signing as United boss after landing Daniel James from Swansea City for an initial fee of £15m.
Should Solskjær bring Diop to Old Trafford in the summer?
Let us know in the comments.
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