Liverpool face tough task to prise El Hadji Malick Diouf from Brentford

Brentford are determined to keep El Hadji Malick Diouf despite growing interest from Liverpool in the Senegal international.

The Bees regard the 21-year-old left-back as an important part of their sporting plans and are expected to resist any approach from the Reds, according to Football Insider.

Liverpool have been monitoring Diouf, formerly of Slavia Prague, but their interest has not yet progressed beyond observation. The club are assessing options for the left side of their defence, particularly with Kostas Tsimikas potentially leaving when his contract expires.

The inconsistency of Milos Kerkez is also encouraging Liverpool’s recruitment team to consider alternatives in that position.

Brentford, however, have significant ambitions for Diouf. They paid about 40 million euros to sign him from West Ham during the last summer transfer window and now value the defender at considerably more than that fee.

That valuation, combined with Brentford’s desire to retain the player, means a move to Liverpool appears difficult to arrange either in January or during next summer’s transfer window.

Diouf is under contract at Brentford until 30 June 2031, with the club holding an option to extend the agreement by a further year. His estimated market value is 35 million euros.

The Senegal international is expected to remain part of Brentford’s plans as they prepare to face Everton in their 11th Premier League match of the season.