West Ham United will reportedly look to sign 20-year-old Senegalese international El Hadji Malick Diouf from Czech club Slavia Praha in the summer transfer window.

According to a report by The Guardian, El Hadji Malick Diouf is the subject of interest from West Ham United. The Hammers are keen on reinforcing their defensive unit by signing a left-back in the summer transfer window. So, the 20-year-old Slavia Praha defender has emerged as a target for the East London club.

The Czech club will demand around £20 million to part ways with the Ziguinchor native in the summer transfer window. Meanwhile, reputed Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano has suggested that West Ham submitted a bid to sign Diouf, but Slavia Praha turned it down. The proposal was worth around £17.3 million.

Who is El Hadji Malick Diouf?

El Hadji Malick Diouf is the latest highly-rated prospect to come out of Senegal. The 20-year-old spent his formative years in Senegal and graduated from the youth division at the Mawade Wade Academy before moving to Europe in February 2023. The youngster has been with Slavia Praha since January 2024 and has come leaps and bounds in the last 18 months.

Diouf has turned out 50 times thus far for Slavia Praha while chipping in with nine goals and four assists. Meanwhile, the youngster has also broken into the Senegalese national squad, and his progress has piqued the attention of several well-known clubs across Europe. West Ham United will be among the prospective suitors vying for his signature in the summer transfer window.

London calling?

West Ham United’s interest in El Hadji Malick Diouf makes sense. The Hammers are combing the market for a left-back this summer amid uncertainties surrounding Emerson Palmieri’s long-term future. The Italian international will likely depart from the London Stadium, and West Ham will aim to replace him in the summer transfer window.

While Oliver Scarles enjoyed a breakthrough campaign in the 2024/25 season, he is not ready to become an undisputed first-choice starter. So, recent reports have linked West Ham with several candidates, including Kyle Walker-Peters, although the Hammers have ruled out a summer move. However, Diouf is also a viable target for the East London outfit.

Meanwhile, Slavia Praha will demand around £20 million to part ways with the 20-year-old Senegalese international, with West Ham failing with an opening bid worth £17.3 million to secure his services. It will be interesting to see if the Hammers return with an improved offer in the coming weeks as they aim to bolster their left-back options.