JOSE MOURINHO will reignite his interest in West Ham defender Issa Diop, according to reports.
The Tottenham manager has been a keen admirer of the Frenchman since his time as Manchester United boss.
Issa Diop is a transfer target for Jose MourinhoCredit: Rex Features
Mourinho, 56, singled Diop out and congratulated the Hammers scouting team after his former team’s 3-1 defeat in 2018.
Now he wants his new chairman Daniel Levy to open the cheque book and pay big money to land the 22-year-old, according to Sky Sports.
Mourinho wants to add another name in central defence that will be seen as long-term replacements for Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen.
Alderweireld, 30, has just signed a new deal until 2023 while Vertonghen’s current deal expires at the end of the season.
Vertonghen, 32, is expected to sign an extension before the end of the season.
Diop has made 13 appearances this season but hasn’t started the game since a 3-2 defeat against Spurs almost a month ago.
West Ham have no plans to cash in and wouldn’t entertain any offers of less than £50million.
Diop joined the Hammers for £22m in the summer of 2018 from Toulouse and is highly-regarded among the supporters.
Frank Lampard says he’s happy to go up against Mourinho but thinks the Tottenham v Chelsea rivalry will top him v Jose
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
