Liverpool and Chelsea are actively pursuing a transfer for Brentford defender El Hadji Malick Diouf, with discussions underway over a potential fee between €50m and €60m. The 21-year-old left-back, who joined the Bees for €40.8m from West Ham in the summer of 2025, has emerged as a target for the Premier League giants.

Contact has been made with the player's representatives this week, though any concrete move is considered more likely for next summer than the upcoming January window. Diouf is under contract at the Gtech Community Stadium until at least 2031, giving Brentford a strong negotiating position as they sit sixth in the Premier League with 14 points from nine games.

Limited game time

Despite the significant interest, Diouf has seen limited action for Thomas Frank's side this campaign. He has made just one Premier League start, with a further five substitute appearances in the league and two starts in the EFL Cup, totalling 320 minutes across all competitions. Keane Lewis-Potter has been the preferred choice at left-back since the season began.

Diouf's potential, however, remains highly regarded. He is noted for his explosive pace and surging runs down the left flank, attributes he displayed during 36 appearances for West Ham where he registered five assists before their relegation prompted his move to west London.

Brentford's European ambition

The club's current league standing, just four points off the top four, reinforces their ambition to secure European football. This context makes a mid-season sale of a key squad asset highly improbable. A top-eight finish would further strengthen their resolve to retain their players.

Brentford's next challenge is a tough away trip to face third-placed Brighton on Sunday, 8 November. Their recent form has been mixed, with one win, two draws and two defeats in their last five outings, a sequence that includes a 2-0 victory over Nottingham Forest and a 3-2 defeat at Sunderland. The club will be keen to maintain their positive momentum in the standings as speculation around their players builds.

The reported valuation of around €50-60m represents a significant profit on the €40.8m Brentford paid just over a year ago. For now, Diouf remains a Brentford player as the club prepares for a key period in their season.

More detail at Sport Witness