West Ham United is already preparing for life after El Hadji Malick Diouf. The London club, relegated to the Championship at the end of the 2025-2026 season, is active in the transfer market to anticipate a possible departure of their Senegalese left-back. According to Football Insider, the Hammers’ management has identified Harrison Burrows, a defender from Sheffield United, as their top option to replace the Lion of Teranga if he leaves the club this summer.
Diouf arrived at West Ham in August 2025 from Slavia Prague for an estimated fee of £19 million. He quickly established himself as a key player in the squad. Despite a tough season for his team, which ended in relegation to the English second division, the Senegal international stood out with his solid performances and consistency on the left flank.
During the 2025-2026 season, Diouf provided five assists and showcased his offensive skills while also being defensively reliable. His performances have caught the attention of several Premier League teams. Everton and Manchester United are reportedly among the clubs closely monitoring his progress and could make a move during this summer’s transfer window.
Despite this growing interest, West Ham is not looking to sell their player on the cheap. According to Football Insider, the London club will only consider a transfer if an offer significantly higher than the £19 million they invested a year ago comes in. The club aims to make a substantial profit before allowing a departure, which could complicate negotiations with potential suitors.
Meanwhile, West Ham is already working on a backup plan. Harrison Burrows is the preferred candidate to succeed Diouf. The Sheffield United left-back has made a name for himself this season in the Championship with his offensive contributions, scoring five goals and providing four assists. His performances have confirmed his status as one of the best attacking defenders in the league.
However, convincing Sheffield United won’t be an easy task. The English club knows that Burrows’ value has skyrocketed since his arrival for around £4 million. Their management now hopes to secure a much larger fee in the event of a transfer and seems unwilling to negotiate at a low price.
West Ham prefers to proceed with caution. Before making a concrete move for Harrison Burrows, the Hammers want to clarify El Hadji Malick Diouf’s future first. As long as the Senegalese remains at the club, no official offer will be made to Sheffield United, as the London officials want to avoid unnecessary spending without knowing the outcome of the situation.
There remains uncertainty surrounding El Hadji Malick Diouf’s future at West Ham this summer.
The player is keen to continue playing in the Premier League, but West Ham have made it clear they will only consider offers in excess of £35m. Manchester United, Everton, Atalanta and… pic.twitter.com/Qb6BtwqhVV
— Irons Watch ⚒️ (@IronsWatch) July 9, 2026
If Diouf’s departure is confirmed in the coming weeks, Harrison Burrows will become one of West Ham’s top priorities to strengthen their left flank. His recent experience in the Championship is a major asset for a club aiming for an immediate return to the Premier League. The Hammers’ transfer window will largely depend on El Hadji Malick Diouf’s future, which will be closely monitored throughout the summer.
