Why West Brom signing Mbaye Diagne on loan would be a smart coup
According to Sky Sports, West Brom are interested in securing the services of Galatasaray striker Mbaye Diagne on a loan deal to bolster their attack in the January transfer window.
As per the report, the Baggies had initially made contact with Hoffenheim over a potential loan for Algerian marksman Ishak Belfodil. However, they have now turned their attention to Diagne after failing to agree a deal with the German outfit. It is understood that Sam Allardyce’s side could look to strike a permanent transfer for Diagne at the end of the season if they manage to stave themselves clear of relegation.
Diagne started his career in the Italian lower divisions before being spotted by Serie A giants Juventus. But he never made a competitive appearance for the Bianconeri over three years in Turin, spending time on loan in Belgium, Hungary and also in the Middle East.
The Senegalese hitman sealed a permanent move to China with Tianjin Teda in 2016 and went on to score 15 times in 45 appearances over two seasons.
The 29-year-old returned to Europe with Turkish outfit Kasimpasa, where he managed an eye-catching tally of 32 goals in 36 games. That paved the way for a switch to heavyweights Galatasaray in January 2019 and Diagne has continued to impress with 22 goals in 39 appearances while also spending time on loan at Club Brugge in Belgium last season.
Meanwhile, West Brom currently find themselves languishing second-bottom in the PL standings after a nightmarish first half of the season. The Baggies have managed only two wins from 18 games so far, accumulating just 11 points in the process.
Still only five points adrift of safety, West Brom’s season is certainly not beyond repair. But it will take a herculean effort from Allardyce’s brigade to preserve their status as a top-flight club. The Baggies, to that end, will surely need to improve significantly on their dismal tally of 14 goals in 18 games if they are to start putting up more points on the board.
West Brom splashed the cash to rope in Karlan Grant from Huddersfield Town before the summer domestic deadline while Matheus Pereira and Grady Diangana also signed permanent deals at The Hawthorns.
But Grant’s performances have been quite abysmal as the club’s first-choice No.9, scoring just once in 12 appearances so far. With Charlie Austin joining Kenneth Zohore on loan in the Championship this month, the Baggies desperately need a few upgrades up top.
Putting things into context, Mbaye Diagne can be a fantastic addition to a goal-shy West Brom forward line. The Senegalese international has been in red-hot form at Galatasaray this season, scoring 11 times in 19 games so far. The tall and powerful centre-forward has been a consistent performer in Turkish football over the past couple of years and looks capable of testing his credentials in the Premier League.
As per Sky Sports, Diagne has been profiled as a very good finisher with the ability to drop deeper and link up the play. Going by Wyscout data, the 29-year-old boasts the best expected goals (10.3) and the best expected goals and assists (10.94) rating for the season in Turkey. That clearly indicates he has outgrown his humble surroundings and is ready to embrace a bigger challenge.
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Verdict
Having said that, it is a no-brainer that West Brom completing a loan deal for an in-form striker like Mbaye Diagne would be an excellent coup in the January window. The Senegalese talisman could well be the difference between top-flight survival and relegation straight back down to the Championship for the Baggies.
