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Mourinho 'Stalking' Diop As £60.9m Man Utd Pair Flop

nevillenixon's picture
Submitted by nevillenixon on Fri, 02/11/2018 - 11:38

Jose Mourinho has generally always been at clubs with deep pockets and expects the Manchester United board to reinforce their central defence in the January transfer window after their failure to clinch a defensive signing in the summer, Mourinho has continued to discuss the centre-back issue in front of colleagues after United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward was unable to conclude a deal for one in the last window.
They were outpriced for a move for £75million-rated Milan Skriniar by Internazionale, failed to reach a breakthrough with Tottenham for Toby Alderweireld, interest in Leicester defender Harry Maguire came an end and, although they triggered Diego Godin's release clause, the Atletico Madrid player had no intention of leaving. The two central defenders he did acquire Bailly and Lindelof, both 24, were signed at a combined cost of £60.9m on Mourinho's watch but have started as a duo just twice.

These events whilst amusing to view from a distance do however have the potential to greatly effect West Ham United, as mentioned before when Mourinho wants he usually gets, earlier in the season the gossip was the 'sour one' had targeted Hammers talisman Marko Arnoutovic however the Manchester United hierarchy bulked at the initial £50 Million price tag being banded around, West Ham were not interested in selling even though it would have meant doubling the price they paid Stoke City for his services. A similar situation seems to be developing with regards to the superb Issa Diop, dubbed 'the Monster' by the Manchester United boss, Diop was Hammers record signing before Felipe Anderson arrived but the £22 Million paid for the French U-21 Captain now seems to be a snip for the imposing 6'4" defender. Diop is on decent money and is tied down to a five year contract, he has become indispensable to the club and is one of the first players in Manuel Pellegrini's starting line ups.

Whilst it is gratifying that other teams want to grab hold of West Ham's best players it should be remembered that the club has been here before, the difference this time is that the club does not need to sell it's best players at all, indeed the board have clearly stated that those days are a thing of the past and that if there is any outward transfer activity during the January transfer window it will only involve fringe players. With Pellegrini and Husillos overseeing the transfer activity this might just be the year when fans are not subjected to the usual pantomime 'look behind you' smoke and mirrors communication from the board, and long may it last! - Ed

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mcbikeman's picture

We have to do the same as Leicester did with Maguire and not even say he has an asking price a simple not for sale will tell the player and his agent that there is little point in stirring up trouble...of course in the real world every player has there price but the board have to be forthright in this and squash any hint of the player being sold even at a vast profit immediately....Liverpool kept on and on until they got van dijk and look at Southampton now....El Pel scouted our two best centrebacks in years so lets continue to back this man and not undermine him for a quick profit

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