West Ham defender Issa Diop says he is not bothered by speculation that Manchester United and Arsenal are interested in signing him. Speaking in an extensive interview with French website Footmercato, the 23-year-old said he is focused purely on playing for the Hammers:

“Frankly, without making a fuss, I don’t care a bit about what can appear in the newspapers. I’m not at all focused on this. I do not calculate at all. I’ll let the people who take care of that manage this part. I only take care of football.”

Tottenham manager Jose Mourinho has expressed admiration for the player in the past, and when he was asked whether the Spurs boss had been in contact, Diop denied any such talks:

“No, I neither discussed nor exchanged with him. Nothing at all.”

The French defender has struggled for form this season after a very good first campaign at the London Stadium. At the end of Manuel Pellegrini’s reign in charge, the centre-back had found himself behind Fabian Balbuena and Angelo Ogbonna in the pecking order. The arrival of David Moyes as manager has not improved his situation so far.

Diop is, though, rated very highly, and with the likes of United, Arsenal and Chelsea having reportedly looked at him, the Irons will be keen to keep hold of one of their most valuable stars.