Ipswich Town have reached an agreement to sign Fulham centre-back Issa Diop in a deal believed to be worth around £8.5 million. The move is not yet finalised but is progressing positively as Ipswich look to strengthen their defence following promotion back to the Premier League.
Diop's World Cup Heroics and Fulham Struggles
Diop, 29, starred for Morocco at the 2024 World Cup, playing five times as the Atlas Lions reached the semi-finals. However, he struggled for minutes at Fulham last season, often serving as a backup to the first-choice centre-back pairing of Calvin Bassey and Joachim Andersen. The French-born defender made 96 appearances in all competitions for Fulham since joining from West Ham in 2022, but his opportunities dwindled under new manager Alvaro Arbeloa.
Arbeloa's Arrival and Diop's Exit
Arbeloa replaced Marco Silva as Fulham manager earlier this month, signing a three-year contract for his first permanent senior managerial role. The 43-year-old previously served as interim manager of Real Madrid after Xabi Alonso's departure. Diop does not appear to be in Arbeloa's plans for next season and was absent from pre-season training at Motspur Park, still resting after his World Cup campaign.
Ipswich's Transfer Activity
Ipswich have already signed three new players this summer: Chuba Akpom, Emerson, and Cedric Kipre, all joining Gary O'Neil's squad. Diop would add further depth to the defence as the newly promoted side prepares for Premier League football. Fulham have been slow in the transfer window, but confirmed last month they exercised an option to sign 18-year-old forward Jonah Kusi-Asare from Bayern Munich after a loan spell.
