Grady Diangana (Getty Images)
According to Daily Mail, West Ham have agreed on a deal to sell youngster Grady Diangana ahead of the new season.
The report suggests that clubs like Aston Villa, Fulham, Brighton and West Brom were interested in securing his services. And the Hammers have accepted a bid of £20m from the Baggies, for whom Diangana featured last season on loan.
Born in England, Diangana came through the ranks of West Ham’s youth system and made his senior debut in the 2018/19 campaign. Since then, he made 21 appearances for the Hammers but has seen limited game time and was sent on loan to West Brom last season.
He became an integral member of the squad under Slaven Bilic and played a key role in helping the Baggies return to the top flight as they finished 2nd in the Championship. The young winger racked up 8 goals and 7 assists in 30 league games.
With Diangana at his best, the report suggests that Bilic has been keen on securing a permanent move for the youngster. And it seems like West Ham have agreed to a sale. (h/t Daily Mail)
The Hammers haven’t been at their best in the last couple of seasons but they managed to secure their top-flight status. David Moyes has done a decent job in taking them out of the danger zone but West Ham haven’t progressed beyond that.
Despite bringing in international players in the last few seasons, the Hammers have failed miserably. At the moment they have four wingers in the squad. Felipe Anderson hasn’t made an impact so far and has been linked with a move away from the club.
Andriy Yarmalenko and Robert Snodgrass are above 30 and will soon be entering the twilight of their career. Jarrod Bowen is the only one on the flanks, who seems to be in good form. And in this situation, selling Diangana wouldn’t be an ideal decision.
Despite being just 22, he was important for the Baggies in their promotion to the top flight. Diangana still has a lot of room for development and his ability to operate in various positions would have been a huge boost to Moyes’ squad, which has lacked quality in several areas. Moreover, they also haven’t signed anyone so far and that can spell trouble them next season.
Diangana was one of the best players in the Championship last season on loan with West Brom. And the Hammers should have taken a chance with him before agreeing on a deal to sell him.
The youngster has the qualities to succeed at the highest level and would have been a key part of the Hammers’ attack with time and experience. Thus, the decision to sell may come to haunt them in the future.
