West Ham United have told Chelsea that defender Issa Diop is not for sale this month, despite the Blues keen to do a £40 million deal, according to 90min.com.
The Hammers are looking to strengthen their stock over the course of January rather than make themselves weaker, so they are not entertaining thoughts of allowing the centre-back to leave the London Stadium.
Chelsea are looking to bolster their defensive options throughout the window, and have seemingly identified the West Ham man as someone they want to take to Stamford Bridge, but they have been told in no uncertain terms that will not be happening.
The 23-year-old has been something of a revelation with the Hammers, since arriving Toulouse is June 2018, going on to make over 50 appearances and keeping a number of leading lights in the Premier League under wraps.
Diop has gone on to become a key part of the West Ham defence, with his aerial abilities at both ends of the pitch of particular use to them, while his pace and power makes him one of the strongest defenders in the league.
The Hammers will be keen to build their side around him in the future, as he and Angelo Ogbonna look to become the defensive pairing to dominate opposition, and give the Londoners the best chance of staying in the top flight.
Diop is pivotal to the success that West Ham could have over the remaining months of the season, and although there is a school of thought that he does have a price which the club could sell at, the French star is not going to depart in January.
Instead, he will be in the Hammers squad that travels to Bramall Lane for a huge clash against Sheffield United on Friday night, where Moyes’ men will be looking to pull themselves further away from danger.