As the future of Mateus Fernandes becomes increasingly clear, what will the fate be of his West Ham United teammate El Hadji Malick Diouf?
This is a question we at Hammers News put to our Talking Point readers nearly three weeks after the Hammers’ relegation was confirmed.
Real Madrid appear to have cooled their interest in Mateus Fernandes. The Times report that Manchester United are now set to win the race for the much-coveted Portugal international.
Fernandes may be heading to the north west, but he is not the only West Ham United player with admirers at Old Trafford.
Be honest; where do YOU think Malick Diouf will be playing next season? 🇸🇳
Still at West Ham? A big-money move to Man United? Or somewhere in between?
Though the feeling is that El Hadji Malick Diouf will not be following in Fernandes’ footsteps. Not this summer, anyway.
El Hadji Malick Diouf could leave West Ham United alongside Mateus Fernandes
“Crystal Palace or Coventry City or maybe a lowly La Liga side,” one Talking Point user writes when asked where he sees Diouf plying his trade in 2026/27.
“The fella looked a different player after coming back from the African Cup of Nations, and if he carries on like that he’ll be no good for us. Maybe a £20 million move to Palace.”
Slavia Prague rejected an offer from Crystal Palace before West Ham snapped up the Senegal international last summer. The Conference League champions are reportedly chasing Diouf again a year later, via the Daily Mail.
FC Porto have also been linked.
As for Michael Carrick’s Champions League returnees, it is well-documented that Man United hold an interest in Diouf.
Sources with a good track record at predicting ins and outs from Old Trafford, though, believe that Diouf and Fernandes will not be reunited at Man United any time soon.
Senegal star ‘could do with a season in the Championship’
As another Hammers fan writes, Diouf is likely to end up ‘somewhere in between’ the Championship and the Champions League. Somewhere like Selhurst Park, perhaps.
“[Diouf] flatters to deceive.”
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“Everyone is raving about this lad,” one writes on our Facebook page. “And yes, he can put a great cross into the box. But his defending is awful and his positioning at times just isn’t up to scratch.
“The lad has a lot to learn. For me, he could do with a season in the Championship to perfect his defending. I would like to see if he’s up to the task.”
“He looks better playing for Senegal,” another points out as the Lions of Teranga prepare to face France in their World Cup opener on Tuesday.
“His technical ability is very good so I’ve no doubts he would improve the defensive side of his game with a bigger club.”
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