West Ham target deal for Slavia Prague star amid transfer admission

Malmoe’s Swedish midfielder #37 Adrian Skogmar and Slavia Prague’s Senegalese defender #12 El Hadji Malick Diouf vie for the ball during the UEFA Europa league football match between Slavia Prague and Malmo FF, in Prague, Czech Republic, on January 30, 2025. (Photo by michal cizek / AFP) (Photo by MICHAL CIZEK/AFP via Getty Images)

West Ham are making progress in their pursuit of El Hadji Malick Diouf, with Slavia Prague manager Jindrich Trpisovsky confirming the 20-year-old Senegal international is on course to leave the Czech club in the current transfer window.

“It’s a matter of time,” said Trpisovsky when asked about the situation. “The club’s management is taking care of it. Malick has an individual plan, we don’t want to take any risks. He’s a player with extraordinary qualities, and he will have them for the future. Slavia’s demands must be met, but we believe he will leave.”

West Ham are one of two Premier League clubs monitoring the player closely, with Leeds United also credited with interest. Slavia Prague are prepared to let Diouf go, but only for a fee that meets their valuation.

Diouf is expected to command a club-record transfer fee for Slavia, surpassing the £12.5 million deal that took goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky to Tottenham earlier this year. He is currently training separately from the main squad in an effort to remain fit and available for a move.

Diouf featured 41 times in all competitions last season, scoring seven goals and assisting four more. Capable of operating both at left-back and as a left winger, his arrival would add much-needed depth following Aaron Cresswell’s departure.

With four caps for Senegal and a standout performance in the 3-1 win over England last month, Diouf’s stock has continued to rise. West Ham’s long-standing relationship with Slavia Prague, having previously signed Tomas Soucek and Vladimir Coufal, could prove helpful as discussions continue.