this one baffles me, off the back of a fantastic world cup, for 10 Mil.
am I missing something
1 year left on deal and likely we have Nwaiwu incoming.
Given the fee we'd have to recoup for Joa, unlikely he'd go.
Cuenca had early interest, but we valued him higher than Benfica would go
Bassey is untouchable for us.
Diop could discuss pre-contract terms in January, so we had to get something.
Shame, as I thought he was good but we need funds in to fund another move it seems.
Gone to Ipswich for only £8.5 Mil
Discussed at length in many messages in the summer transfer and Nwaiwu thread. Makes perfect financial sense given his expiring contract, for SCR and accounts generally, and with the view to moving towards a new transfer model with younger talent.
TLDR:
This is good for this seasons books - money goes straight to his replacement
Stops him walking away free next summer.
His seeming replacement Nwaiwu looks a beast and is on half the wages.
I was led to believe that he refused to sign a new contract, can anyone confirm that?
I get that from time to time we'll be offered such a financially transformative fee, the economic implications for the club trump the football-side arguments about that individual player - eg Palhinha. But that clearly doesn't apply to the £5m or whatever it is we gain in the books here.
So if we see him starting 10+ games next season I'd say offer him an extension and focus our resources on improving other areas, rather than losing a solid first team player for a trivial amount of money.
On the other hand if he's only going to sit on the fringe of the squad next year then fine, I can see the long-term argument for cashing in and bringing in someone with potential to improve in value/quality above Diop.
I'm torn between the two myself because I'd like to see some squad rejuvenation but I do also rate Diop.
Would rather keep him than Anderson but Issa has been more than patient playing back up for a number of seasons now and deserves a move for more 1st team games.
Shame the fee is so small but thats what you get for letting contracts get to the final year
Quote from: Angus Telford on July 20, 2026, 07:17:10 PMI get that from time to time we'll be offered such a financially transformative fee, the economic implications for the club trump the football-side arguments about that individual player - eg Palhinha. But that clearly doesn't apply to the £5m or whatever it is we gain in the books here.
So if we see him starting 10+ games next season I'd say offer him an extension and focus our resources on improving other areas, rather than losing a solid first team player for a trivial amount of money.
On the other hand if he's only going to sit on the fringe of the squad next year then fine, I can see the long-term argument for cashing in and bringing in someone with potential to improve in value/quality above Diop.
I'm torn between the two myself because I'd like to see some squad rejuvenation but I do also rate Diop.
Agree that I like Issa, but...
Highly possible he wasn't showing much interest in extending - or wanted terms we didn't. People have said this a fair bit about extending him - but we don't know if he even wanted that. It might also have meant paying him more than his already considerable wages, or him expecting to be played more etc.
Given there were rumours he wanted to go to Paris last year but we turned down the offer...and now he's gone to a promotion team - logic suggests it's highly likely he's keen to go somewhere he's almost guaranteed to start. That isn't currently the case here, much as I like Issa and wanted him played over Anderson by end of season.
In a world where SCR is now key - Nwaiwu will likely be paid half the wages Issa was on (without any additional raise on top he might have wanted) which would save us about 2.5m a year on squad cost for each year Nwaiwu is still on that contract.
I rate Diop - but this means we don't risk getting nothing and possibly having to replace him without the fee that we book this summer - which is good for this years accounts and can go straight towards his replacement. Who...whilst untested, looks a bit of a beast. People seem to often talk about a couple mil, or about £5m like it's in isolation, and even then, rather flippantly like it's nothing, millions of pounds really are not trivial for a club like ours operating in tight margins. It's still alot of money, and if you are constantly looking to find those millions each time you do such a deal, it accumulates towards a much bigger picture when SCR and FFP is involved.
Quote from: Angus Telford on July 20, 2026, 07:17:10 PMI get that from time to time we'll be offered such a financially transformative fee, the economic implications for the club trump the football-side arguments about that individual player - eg Palhinha. But that clearly doesn't apply to the £5m or whatever it is we gain in the books here.
So if we see him starting 10+ games next season I'd say offer him an extension and focus our resources on improving other areas, rather than losing a solid first team player for a trivial amount of money.
On the other hand if he's only going to sit on the fringe of the squad next year then fine, I can see the long-term argument for cashing in and bringing in someone with potential to improve in value/quality above Diop.
I'm torn between the two myself because I'd like to see some squad rejuvenation but I do also rate Diop.
I agree with the first paragraph and would have liked to see second paragraph happen.
I doubt he'd sign an extension when he regularly gets overlooked for Andersen and who could blame him.
Shame to see him go but can't be doing his career much good, not playing. He often didn't make the match day squad. I hope he does well. He'll likely have a busy season.
Bottom line is that we need to do better than Diop. Love what he gave for this club, but we need to upgrade
Shame ,think his agent has said a new challenge and regular action after 2 years of watching Anderson getting worse on massive wages.
Sad to see him go but can't blame him. He should have started most games alongside Bassey last season. Andersen should have been benched.
Diop is far from perfect. We're potentially getting an upgrade in the younger Nwaiwu with the chance to make a decent profit in years to come. Isn't this what many people have been crying out for. Seems like good business sense to me.
We haven't got the Nigerian yet behave dieppe was bought by silva and tony kept him too long silva didn't care tony hadn't a clue,Anderson was loaned to us arranged by Tony and then bought for a fee which must be the crime of the century,hardly any return, im suprised his dad did not stop the buy seems bizarre.We might get Spanish loanees but not assets again where will it end.You never know one day he might sit with the fans at fulham at a game and tell us how found a player by closing your eyes and sticking a pin in a dictionary,similar to how they find a wrestler pure chance never mind championship is a option.Don't forget if they had bought wembley we wouldn't worry about the bogs in the happy end just tell me why we loose millions,obviously something isn't kosher and a c/o who made a hash of the new stand and still has a job another secret not told,your write I will shut up I feel the club is sinking perhaps they will explain their incompetence considering they have a successful buisness or are they trump in disguise.
Quote from: Bronaldinho on July 20, 2026, 06:50:12 PM1 year left on deal and likely we have Nwaiwu incoming.
Given the fee we'd have to recoup for Joa, unlikely he'd go.
Cuenca had early interest, but we valued him higher than Benfica would go
Bassey is untouchable for us.
Diop could discuss pre-contract terms in January, so we had to get something.
Shame, as I thought he was good but we need funds in to fund another move it seems.
Even if all of this is true, the point still stands - €10m or £8.5m is still too cheap for him
Quote from: General on July 20, 2026, 10:56:53 PMQuote from: Bronaldinho on July 20, 2026, 06:50:12 PM1 year left on deal and likely we have Nwaiwu incoming.
Given the fee we'd have to recoup for Joa, unlikely he'd go.
Cuenca had early interest, but we valued him higher than Benfica would go
Bassey is untouchable for us.
Diop could discuss pre-contract terms in January, so we had to get something.
Shame, as I thought he was good but we need funds in to fund another move it seems.
Even if all of this is true, the point still stands - €10m or £8.5m is still too cheap for him
But if it's what we've been offered for him and there aren't other offers on the table above it then that's the market for him presumably ,and if we need to get moving with his replacement quickly then what do we do?
I appreciate I also would have hoped for more but ultimately he's worth what someone will pay for him, at a club he wants to go to, that will pay him the wage he wants. We had more offered last year, but he's now 29 and in last year of contract so I get it.
Quote from: I Ronic on July 20, 2026, 08:39:44 PMShame to see him go but can't be doing his career much good, not playing. He often didn't make the match day squad. I hope he does well. He'll likely have a busy season.
[/quote Expecting Benfica to go for him?
The 8 odd million we get for Diop allows us to buy a 40 Million player on a 5 year contract (with amortisation).
Issa was also on 70,000 a week (reported) so a younger player is likely on a much lower salary.
One thing that has not been discussed (unless i've missed it) is does Diop meet Arbeloa's requirements of a ball playing centre back? I think not. Andersen, Bassey and Cuenca do.
Whatever, he's a top professional and i wish him well.
Maybe the club have decided that if a player isn't going to extend his contract then move him on if he's reaching his last year. At least this avoids the a Wilson situation who may or may not sign depending on whether the manager does or doesn't sign.
Sadly, with all the financial systems, we need the income to fund another move. Diop in last year of contract. So if it's enough to offset the expenditure for a new CB then it works for all parties and Diop gets to play more.
We've also left contract renewals to the last minute previously, so don't always expect players to hang around.
And if we leave the deal later, it risks other clubs coming in for our target, Nwaiwu too.
Sadly it's business.
Quote from: jayffc on July 21, 2026, 12:11:39 AMQuote from: General on July 20, 2026, 10:56:53 PMQuote from: Bronaldinho on July 20, 2026, 06:50:12 PM1 year left on deal and likely we have Nwaiwu incoming.
Given the fee we'd have to recoup for Joa, unlikely he'd go.
Cuenca had early interest, but we valued him higher than Benfica would go
Bassey is untouchable for us.
Diop could discuss pre-contract terms in January, so we had to get something.
Shame, as I thought he was good but we need funds in to fund another move it seems.
Even if all of this is true, the point still stands - €10m or £8.5m is still too cheap for him
But if it's what we've been offered for him and there aren't other offers on the table above it then that's the market for him presumably ,and if we need to get moving with his replacement quickly then what do we do?
I appreciate I also would have hoped for more but ultimately he's worth what someone will pay for him, at a club he wants to go to, that will pay him the wage he wants. We had more offered last year, but he's now 29 and in last year of contract so I get it.
Perhaps shop him around? Offer him to other clubs or tell them he's free to go and see who else shows interest? He's off the back of a strong world cup showing. There must be more than just Ipswich interested in him, especially for that price
Very sorry to see him go. Is not wishing to sign a new contract down to how he was treated by Silva? Maybe the new boss will change his playing time?
Quote from: General on July 21, 2026, 08:23:02 AMQuote from: jayffc on July 21, 2026, 12:11:39 AMQuote from: General on July 20, 2026, 10:56:53 PMQuote from: Bronaldinho on July 20, 2026, 06:50:12 PM1 year left on deal and likely we have Nwaiwu incoming.
Given the fee we'd have to recoup for Joa, unlikely he'd go.
Cuenca had early interest, but we valued him higher than Benfica would go
Bassey is untouchable for us.
Diop could discuss pre-contract terms in January, so we had to get something.
Shame, as I thought he was good but we need funds in to fund another move it seems.
Even if all of this is true, the point still stands - €10m or £8.5m is still too cheap for him
But if it's what we've been offered for him and there aren't other offers on the table above it then that's the market for him presumably ,and if we need to get moving with his replacement quickly then what do we do?
I appreciate I also would have hoped for more but ultimately he's worth what someone will pay for him, at a club he wants to go to, that will pay him the wage he wants. We had more offered last year, but he's now 29 and in last year of contract so I get it.
Perhaps shop him around? Offer him to other clubs or tell them he's free to go and see who else shows interest? He's off the back of a strong world cup showing. There must be more than just Ipswich interested in him, especially for that price
But on the other hand you oft bemoan the speed at which we sign players, so if we say that we're maybe missing out on £1-2m to get a quick sale and a new player in faster, surely that would be worth it so that Nwaiwu has a longer pre-season with us?
Quote from: General on July 21, 2026, 08:23:02 AMQuote from: jayffc on July 21, 2026, 12:11:39 AMQuote from: General on July 20, 2026, 10:56:53 PMQuote from: Bronaldinho on July 20, 2026, 06:50:12 PM1 year left on deal and likely we have Nwaiwu incoming.
Given the fee we'd have to recoup for Joa, unlikely he'd go.
Cuenca had early interest, but we valued him higher than Benfica would go
Bassey is untouchable for us.
Diop could discuss pre-contract terms in January, so we had to get something.
Shame, as I thought he was good but we need funds in to fund another move it seems.
Even if all of this is true, the point still stands - €10m or £8.5m is still too cheap for him
But if it's what we've been offered for him and there aren't other offers on the table above it then that's the market for him presumably ,and if we need to get moving with his replacement quickly then what do we do?
I appreciate I also would have hoped for more but ultimately he's worth what someone will pay for him, at a club he wants to go to, that will pay him the wage he wants. We had more offered last year, but he's now 29 and in last year of contract so I get it.
Perhaps shop him around? Offer him to other clubs or tell them he's free to go and see who else shows interest? He's off the back of a strong world cup showing. There must be more than just Ipswich interested in him, especially for that price
How do you know we didn't? We've been rumoured to be signing Nwaiwu for months. We wouldn't have been lining that up without knowing Issa was likely on the move. Also sure were were wanting to get this deal over the line early if we want Nwaiwu in. I find it hard to believe the club and his agent wouldn't have explored what offers there were.
It's possible he wanted to stay in the league/country and that's the offer we had. Who knows.
Disappointed we got such a meagre fee but as long as we upgrade the defence I can live with it. Question is whether Andersen will be dropped or if Arbeloa will try to compensate for his lack of pace.
Very sorry to see Diop leave.
Better than the current incumbent even if he makes occasional clangers.
Good luck to him and I hope he gets regular football.
Luc DeFougerolles will make the club I think. As a Canadian it is fine by me!
Quote from: General on July 20, 2026, 10:56:53 PMQuote from: Bronaldinho on July 20, 2026, 06:50:12 PM1 year left on deal and likely we have Nwaiwu incoming.
Given the fee we'd have to recoup for Joa, unlikely he'd go.
Cuenca had early interest, but we valued him higher than Benfica would go
Bassey is untouchable for us.
Diop could discuss pre-contract terms in January, so we had to get something.
Shame, as I thought he was good but we need funds in to fund another move it seems.
Even if all of this is true, the point still stands - €10m or £8.5m is still too cheap for him
How much do you believe a backup CB that played 816 minutes in 13 Premier League matches who has probably been pushing to get out of Fulham is worth?
I like Diop and he had a good World Cup but I don't think clubs, especially top league clubs with funds to spend, are beating down the doors with competing offers.
Bottom line is, is we don't sell him, i doubt he'd extend his contract. Why would he? Lack of playing time, and he could get a good wage elsewhere by running his contract down. He didn't play much, it's good business. I did like him, but we move on
Quote from: General on July 21, 2026, 08:23:02 AMQuote from: jayffc on July 21, 2026, 12:11:39 AMQuote from: General on July 20, 2026, 10:56:53 PMQuote from: Bronaldinho on July 20, 2026, 06:50:12 PM1 year left on deal and likely we have Nwaiwu incoming.
Given the fee we'd have to recoup for Joa, unlikely he'd go.
Cuenca had early interest, but we valued him higher than Benfica would go
Bassey is untouchable for us.
Diop could discuss pre-contract terms in January, so we had to get something.
Shame, as I thought he was good but we need funds in to fund another move it seems.
Even if all of this is true, the point still stands - €10m or £8.5m is still too cheap for him
But if it's what we've been offered for him and there aren't other offers on the table above it then that's the market for him presumably ,and if we need to get moving with his replacement quickly then what do we do?
I appreciate I also would have hoped for more but ultimately he's worth what someone will pay for him, at a club he wants to go to, that will pay him the wage he wants. We had more offered last year, but he's now 29 and in last year of contract so I get it.
Perhaps shop him around? Offer him to other clubs or tell them he's free to go and see who else shows interest? He's off the back of a strong world cup showing. There must be more than just Ipswich interested in him, especially for that price
I would have thought that his agent would have been doing that.
It's unfortunate that he has not been sorted out a year earlier as in final year can't have another wilson fiasco.Never had enough game time under silva.He is big and strong his only downside is and when he played for us and Morocco was his passing he usually lays it off to a player alongside who distributes it better and would assume under our Spanish coach with a strong possession game and his age now with no future sell on gain was badly handled by silva and tony which looks like it's been a common accurance on a lot of our purchases which has to change.
I'm disappointed with this deal, both because I think we we treated Diop poorly and because I don't think we got enough for him.
However Diop deserves a chance to start and if he wanted Ipswich I think I can accept that.
Quote from: MickTheBeard on July 22, 2026, 12:51:14 PMIt's unfortunate that he has not been sorted out a year earlier as in final year can't have another wilson fiasco.Never had enough game time under silva.He is big and strong his only downside is and when he played for us and Morocco was his passing he usually lays it off to a player alongside who distributes it better and would assume under our Spanish coach with a strong possession game and his age now with no future sell on gain was badly handled by silva and tony which looks like it's been a common accurance on a lot of our purchases which has to change.
Given we were 2 points off europe - had one game gone differently, we might have considered his contributions well worth holding onto last year. Thought he had one of his most consistent years for us when called upon.
Also his replacement didn't break through until this year, so probably would have replaced him with someone completely different.
Frankly we got our moneys worth from Diop though. A net transfer fee cost of £7m - Having Played 4 seasons and played his part in playing in a team that kept us up, which is very valuable in itself. He's been about as good a number 2 CB as you could ask for in recent seasons, and agree I'd have had him play more last year than he did in the end. Not every player will move on for profit - and there is value in simply getting good use out of players too, but - at least this time we're replacing him with someone younger who hopefully can emerge as a profitable venture. Time will tell.
Hopefully TK or Ali Mac have now learned that it simply doesn't pay to hold onto players going into the last year of their contracts. We've seen it way too many times now and it's likely costs us tens of £ms.
Quote from: Surlyc on July 22, 2026, 12:57:51 PMI'm disappointed with this deal, both because I think we we treated Diop poorly and because I don't think we got enough for him.
However Diop deserves a chance to start and if he wanted Ipswich I think I can accept that.
I'm not sure about this treated poorly, he wasn't selected as first choice because Silva thought Anderson was better for the team, that is what the manager gets paid for, if he thought Diop was better he would've be in the team.
He definitely seemed to have ironed out those silly mistakes from early on but he had good players around ,at ipswich he'll be under the cosh week in week out. Also 70k a week off the books
I always thought Diop wasn't the right profile for Silva's tactics, he never looked comfortable passing out from the back. However, there's no question he's much better than Andersen at recovering the ball. It's a great fee for Ipswich, can't see any other club selling such a quality player for so low.
This might be a bit far fetched with regards to Diop but is there the slightest possibility that Arbeloa knows what Diop brings to the team? and for that reason he is happy to sanction the sale?
He improved towards the end of his time with us but I was never fully convinced, I thought he was error prone and not good enough with the ball at his feet. A decent enough player at this level but given he's turning 30 during the season, had one year left on his deal, was on £70k a week and was not a starter for us I think to get £8.5m in is not terrible. I had hoped for closer to £12-13m but the fact is we need to get better at timing our sales and I think now is the right time.
Quote from: Whitestone on July 20, 2026, 09:32:38 PMDiop is far from perfect. We're potentially getting an upgrade in the younger Nwaiwu with the chance to make a decent profit in years to come. Isn't this what many people have been crying out for. Seems like good business sense to me.
Potentially yes
Nwaiwu hasn't signed yet and we've not seen him play in a Fulham shirt as of
Fingers crossed