El Hadji Malick Diouf banned from training as Slavia boss makes stunning West Ham claim

El Hadji Malick Diouf has been sensationally banned from training by Slavia Prague as the club’s boss delivers a stunning claim about West Ham.

There has been a huge development for West Ham’s hopes of signing Slavia Prague left-back El Hadji Malick Diouf.

The dramatic twist has major implications for the Hammers’ pursuit of the highly rated star.

It wouldn’t be a West Ham United transfer without some drama making it a saga.

That’s certainly becoming the case with Senegal ace Diouf.

West Ham’s transfer window suddenly burst into life this week with confirmation the Hammers had submitted multiple bids for players.

New twist as Diouf becomes latest West Ham transfer soap opera

That included an official move for Slavia Prague star Diouf, who starred with an eye-catching display of pace, power, energy and expert crossing in Senegal’s 3-1 win over England.

West Ham have seen two bids rejected by Slavia for Diouf so far.

The Czech side, who have good relations with West Ham after selling them both Tomas Soucek and Vladimir Coufal, are demanding a league record £21.5m for the 20-year-old in the wake of bids which amounted to £17m and then £17.5m from the Hammers.

One of Soucek’s former Czech Under 19 teammates – and close friends – teased that the Hammers were close to signing Diouf heading into the weekend.

Reports emanating from the Czech Republic on Friday claimed Diouf was set to fly to London this weekend for a medical with the Hammers.

But a journalist claimed West Ham were not close to signing Diouf and had, in fact, seen a second bid rejected, not accepted.

That understandably sparked doom and gloom around West Ham given the complete non-event that has been Graham Potter’s transfer window so far.