West Ham United might have only scratched the surface of El Hadji Malick Diouf’s potential during a mixed first season in English football, but finding a like-for-like successor will not be an easy task.
Despite his form dipping substantially after Senegal’s, erm, victorious African Cup of Nations campaign [?] – Morocco certainly had something to say about that as the saga rumbles on – El Hadji Malick Diouf remains a man in high demand.
Manchester United admire the former Slavia Prague starlet, alongside West Ham United teammate Mateus Fernandes.
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Conference League winners Crystal Palace have been linked as well, having tried and failed to sign Diouf before his £19 million move to the London Stadium eleven months ago.
On paper, Eredivisie ‘Assist King’ Souffian El Karouani appeared a suitable, affordable replacement. There is a reason, though, why we say ‘appeared’ in past tense.
West Ham United-linked Souffian El Karouani moves to Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabian outfit Al Qadsiah have now officially confirmed, via their X account, that El Karouani has joined on a free transfer from FC Utrecht.
Five months after Diouf’s Senegal faced El Karouani’s Morocco in one of the most contentious tournament finals in the history of international football, the Hammers have missed out on the chance to replace the former with the latter.
Dutch publication RTV claimed in December that El Karouani was ‘on his way’ to the London Stadium. Reports which, in hindsight, proved to be more than a little premature.
West Ham opted to spend January chasing centre-forwards and centre-backs instead, perhaps in the hope that they could snap up El Karouani on a free when his Utrecht contract expired a few months later.
Al Qadsiah, however, used this as an opportunity to leap into pole position.
While El Karouani did not hide his interest in joining the Hammers, a side who finished fourth in the Saudi Pro League under a certain Brendan Rodgers last season ramped up their pursuit and have now secured the signature of their top target.
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Like Diouf, El Karouani is renowned for his ‘amazing left foot’ and his occasionally deadly delivery from the flanks. He racked up a highly-impressive 18 assists across 50 appearances during his final season in the Netherlands.
Nuno Espirito Santo may now look closer to home for a Diouf replacement, should reported suitors Man United, Crystal Palace or FC Porto solidify their early interest. Sheffield United’s Harrison Burrows is reportedly an option.
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