TRENDING NEWS: The value of a West Ham fan favorite has plummeted to just £2 million following an unpopular sale.

Over the past few years, the value of this 25-year-old ace has plummeted by a staggering 89%.

West Ham United’s transfer history has been marked by ups and downs, but under David Moyes’ leadership, the club has experienced a period of relative stability, culminating in their triumph in the Europa Conference League last June.

During this period, the emergence of Declan Rice has been a key factor. Rising through the club’s academy ranks, Rice amassed 245 senior appearances and played a vital role in the team’s progress before his £105 million transfer to Arsenal last summer.

While players like Ben Johnson have secured spots in Moyes’ first team, and a promising group of teenage talents is pushing for regular playing time, there have been relatively few breakthroughs from the club’s academy. Among the most notable exceptions, besides Rice, was Grady Diangana, an agile and skillful winger.

Diangana’s potential generated considerable excitement, but West Ham made the controversial decision to sell him just as he was on the verge of making a significant impact.

The decision to part ways with Diangana came in 2020, a time when Moyes was focused on strengthening the squad after steering them clear of relegation threats. Despite Diangana’s promise, the club had an abundance of wide players following Jarrod Bowen’s arrival from Hull City, making the decision to cash in on Diangana, one of their most valuable assets, a pragmatic albeit unpopular choice.

The anticipated departure of Declan Rice had prompted the club to consider alternatives, with Chelsea unable to pursue a costly bid for Rice. Consequently, Grady Diangana emerged as a suitable alternative, leading West Bromwich Albion to secure his services for a fee close to £18 million in September 2020, much to the dismay of West Ham captain Mark Noble.

Although Noble expressed concerns about losing a promising player, West Ham’s decision to sell Diangana turned out to be shrewd in hindsight. The funds raised from his sale were reinvested in signings like Vladimir Coufal, Tomas Soucek, and Said Benrahma, all of whom played significant roles in the club’s recent successes.

Since leaving West Ham, Diangana has experienced a decline in value, with his market worth plummeting by a staggering 89%. Despite initially making a strong impact at West Brom, his performances have been inconsistent, and he has struggled to replicate his success in the Premier League.

Despite his recent improvements, Diangana’s overall contributions have been mixed, with statistics revealing areas where he has fallen short compared to his peers. While he has shown flashes of brilliance, his track record in the Premier League suggests that he may struggle to thrive consistently at the highest level.

In conclusion, West Ham’s decision to sell Diangana when they did has proven to be a wise move, allowing the club to strengthen its squad and solidify its position in both the Premier League and European competitions.

Indeed, with players like Bowen, Mohammed Kudus, and Lucas Paqueta currently excelling as wide forwards under Moyes, it’s challenging to argue that Diangana would have found significant playing time in the current setup. These players have been performing well and contributing effectively to the team’s success, making it difficult for Diangana to establish himself as a prominent member of the squad.

Considering the competition for places and the quality of performances from other wide forwards, it’s uncertain whether Diangana would have been able to make a significant impact if he had remained at West Ham. His departure has allowed other players to step up and thrive in the team, further validating the club’s decision to sell him when they did.