Southampton are interested in a deal to bring Issa Diop to St Mary's this summer.

What's the talk?

That's according to a report by French media outlet Foot Mercato (via Sport Witness), who claimed that the Saints, along with Wolves and Crystal Palace, have made an approach to West Ham regarding the availability of the centre-back this summer.

The report added that the Hammers have already rejected offers of an initial loan with a view to purchasing the defender at a later date, although it is believed that David Moyes could nevertheless be tempted into the Frenchman's sale this summer.

Fans surely buzzing

With Diop clearly boasting an enormous amount of potential, it is easy to see why Ralph Hasenhuttl is keen on a deal to sign the former France under-21 international ahead of Southampton's upcoming Premier League campaign.

Indeed, over his 18 Premier League appearances for West Ham last season, the £67,000-per-week centre-back helped his side to keep two clean sheets, in addition to averaging 1.2 interceptions, 1.1 tackles and 3.2 clearances and winning 3.1 duels per game.

The £16.2m-rated man also helped out in an attacking capacity, ending the season with two goals to his name.

These metrics saw the man Mario Husillos dubbed a "fantastic" player earn an impressive average SofaScore match rating of 6.92, ranking him as the Hammers' seventh-best performer in the 2020/21 Premier League.

As such, if it is indeed true that Moyes could be tempted into selling the defender this summer, it would seem highly advisable for Hasenhuttl do to everything in his power to land the Frenchman ahead of Wolves and Palace. Diop not only appears to have the potential to slot straight into the Austrian's starting XI, he could also go on to become a real star for the club for many years to come, with his potential signing something which could have the Saints faithful buzzing.

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