High-flying Brentford have reportedly reached a £40m verbal agreement to sign West Ham left-back El Hadji Malick Diouf.
That is according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano via X, who posted that the Bees will pay an initial fee of £35m - rising to £40m with add-ons - for the West Ham man.
He reports that while the documents are yet to be signed, the agreement is complete, with Diouf keen on the project at the Gtech Community Stadium.
The reported fee will make the Senegal international Brentford's third most expensive signing of all time, behind new summer addition Mamadou Sangare and Dango Ouattara.
Diouf only joined the Hammers last summer for around £20m from Slavia Prague, but now he looks set to exit the club following their relegation to the Championship.
Known for his excellent pace and attacking qualities as a full-back, Diouf played 35 times in the Premier League last season, registering five assists as the Hammers finished in 18th place.
The 21-year-old has featured twice in West Ham colours so far this campaign, making one appearance in both the Championship and the EFL Cup, totalling around 18 minutes of action.
A 23-cap international, Diouf was a member of the Senegal squad for the 2026 World Cup, featuring in three of their four matches as the Lions of Teranga reached the round of 32.
He was also part of the Senegal squad who contentiously 'lost' the 2026 Africa Cup of Nations final, despite winning the match on the field.
Following a 3-0 opening day win over Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League and a sensational 6-1 drubbing of Birmingham City in the second round of the EFL Cup, the coup of their new left-back will add to the high spirits at Brentford.
The Bees continue their campaign on Sunday, making the trip to Elland Road to face Leeds United.
