Why must Leeds United reignite interest in Mbaye Diagne in January
Championship outfit Leeds United were interested in signing Kasimpasa striker Mbaye Diagne in the summer, reports Turkish Football. But the move didn’t materialise as the negotiations hit a brick wall after it was revealed Diagne would have to get a work permit from the FA to play in England.
However, the Senegal striker, who is eligible for an Italian passport, remains keen on a move to England and his representatives hope to sort out the paperwork by January. Keeping that in mind, Leeds should reignite their interest in Diagne.
Diagne, 26, has managed 19 goals and two assists since joining the club the Turkish club in January from Chinese outfit Tianjin Teda. Diagne was previously signed by former Chelsea manager Antonio Conte when he was with Juventus, however, the Senegalese wasn’t able to break into the first-team. But a move to Turkey has helped him revive his career.
Kasimpasa are currently placed third on the Super League table and the reason behind the club’s blistering start to the season is down to Diagne’s red-hot form. Diagne has scored seven goals in just five games and also netted in the 3-1 defeat at the hands of Galatasaray.
Leeds are in need of a striker following injuries to Kemar Roofe and Patrick Bamford, with the latter facing a spell on the sidelines until Christmas. Diagne would fit the bill perfectly at Elland Road. He is scoring goals for fun in the Turkish league, dominating the headlines week in and week out.
Filled with pace and power, Diagne should be able to play up front at Leeds. He is an instinctive finisher with impressive dribbling skills and work ethic. Due to his pace and physicality, the Senegalese can shrug off defenders when on the ball.
The 26-year-old centre-forward has raw pace and is very direct on the ball, a lethal combination to have in counter-attacking situations. Diagne also possesses the ‘shoot at sight’ ability, which usually tests goalkeepers’ shot-stopping capabilities.
Leeds have the likes of Samu Saiz, Pablo Hernandez and Lewis Baker in the creative department and they will be very pleased to have a ruthless finisher in the mould of Diagne. In order to achieve higher ambitions, a player like Diagne could prove to be handy for the Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds.
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That being said, if Leeds can tempt the Senegalese striker to move to Elland Road in January, it could prove to be one smart piece of business that would certainly provide Bielsa’s promotion hopes a big boost.