Slavia Prague fullback El Hadji Malick Diouf is “expected in London” on Saturday or Sunday to complete his move to West Ham, according to reports.

WIWSPORT report that a €25m (£21.5m) fee has been agreed for the Senegalese international after the Hammers had to act fast to beat other clubs to the player’s signature.

It is believed that Brighton, Crystal Palace, Leeds United, and Atalanta were also in talks to purchase Diouf, but the good relationship between West Ham and Slavia Prague has proven to be very important.

The Irons have signed Tomas Soucek and Vladimir Coufal from the Czech side in previous transfer windows.

Diouf is a very promising young player

Some of the biggest clubs in Europe have been keeping tabs on the 20-year-old, with Slavia Prague president Jaroslav Tvrdik having revealed back in January that Liverpool and Chelsea were also “interested” in the wingback.

The fact that West Ham have had to fend off competition from 4 other teams this summer to win the race for Diouf does demonstrate how highly rated he is. The fee is still pretty steep but he could be worth a lot more in the future.

West Ham could now offload Emerson

It was confirmed by journalist Fabrizio Romano last month that head coach Graham Potter has given Emerson Palmieri permission to find another club.

However, with Aaron Cresswell having also left the London Stadium this summer, the Italian’s departure was likely only dependent on a replacement being brought in first.

Diouf’s arrival over the coming days should accelerate plans for Emerson to leave. Lazio are known to be keen on securing the signature of the defender, who worked with their manager Maurizio Sarri during his time at Chelsea.

In other news, West Ham are reportedly vying with Chelsea for Leicester’s number one goalkeeper