Issa Diop: 'West Ham United not a stepping stone ahead of move to bigger club'

Issa Diop has reaffirmed his commitment to West Ham United, just months after he was linked with a transfer to bigger clubs.

After making 33 appearances in the Premier League during his debut campaign with the Hammers, Diop was associated with a move to Manchester United earlier this summer.

However, West Ham would not entertain a sale having spent £22m to sign the centre-back from Toulouse.

A similar scenario may materialise in future transfer windows, but Diop has insisted that he is only focused on helping the East London outfit move up the top-flight standings.

The 22-year-old told France Football: "West Ham, for me, it was not and is still not a springboard to go elsewhere, 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."

Diop still has four years remaining on his contract at the London Stadium.