Man Utd-linked Diop adamant West Ham are not a ‘springboard’ for bigger move

The French defender is among those to have been linked with the Red Devils, but claims to be fully committed to further himself at the London Stadium

Issa Diop is among those to have generated talk of interest from Manchester United, but the highly-rated defender insists he does not consider West Ham to be a transfer “springboard”.

“It’s the club where I want to try to become the best defender I can be, compared to my qualities.

“Whether technical, tactical, physical, I still have a large margin of progression.”

Rather than seeking a switch to new surroundings, the main target for Diop at present is forcing his way into the senior France side.

He has already represented his country at Under-21 level, but is now knocking on the door of Didier Deschamps’ World Cup-winning squad.

“It is the performance that I will make in the match that will determine if I have the level to play with Les Bleus,” Diop added.

“It’s up to me to work. That’s how I see things.

“All very good players go into the national team. Well, if I am very good, it will come if it should come. Obviously it’s a goal, but the proof that I deserve to reach it, it’s me who must give it.”