Shropshire Star

The inside track: Could Mbaye Diagne be the man to fire West Brom to survival?

Albion boss Sam Allardyce is determined to sign a striker this month with Galatasaray forward Mbaye Diagne understood to be one of the players he is interested in.

Published
Last updated

The Senegal international has been in impressive form in Turkey this season – netting 11 goals in 18 outings.

But the Turkish giants need to offload players in order to meet financial fair play regulations – and that means Diagne could be on the move.

We spoke to journalists Berk Gol, from Haber Global, and Burhan Can Terzi, from Ajansspor and Radyospor to get the inside track on the Baggies target.

What type of player is Diagne, how would you describe his style and character?

BG: Diagne is very dangerous in the box. He is a great finisher and can score goals with both his head and feet.

He isn’t what you’d call an all-round centre-forward.

His passing isn’t the best when it comes to linking play.

You need to get the ball into him inside the box. But when you do, he scores goals.

BCT: Diagne is a static forward who is efficient within the box.

He has a similar style to Mario Jardel – if you give the ball to him in the area he can score goals. But he is not fast.

Character wise, he can be the only one to say something is right that everyone else says is wrong or vice a versa.

How would you describe his time at Galatasaray?

BG: The best way to describe his time at Galatasaray is turbulent.

In his first half season, he was signed in January, he scored 10 goals and helped the team win the Super League title.

But the club paid 13million Euros to sign him and that was more than they could really afford.

Now the board are trying to sell him so they can met Financial Fair Play regulations.

BCT: In his first season he didn't quite live up to expectations.

He did score 10 goals, but most of those were penalties.

There was also an issue at the end of the season because he did not show up during the title-winning celebrations at the stadium.

This season again he has been unstable but he has still scored goals.

He seems popular with fans and has scored a lot of goals this season, why have Galatasaray made him available for transfer?

BG: Galatasaray have reached a Financial Fair Play agreement with Uefa and they must make a profit in all transfer windows.

Manager Fatih Terim also wants to sign some new, younger, players that the club can’t afford at the moment.

Diagne is one of the most valuable players in the squad.

He is available to move because the club needs to bring in money.

BCT: Galatasaray fans are very passionate and follow each and every player closely.

But for Diagne there are fans who like him and fans who don't.

Galatasaray signed him for 10million Euro which is a very high amount for the club.

Now they want to sell him before his value drops.

Albion are believed to be interested in a loan deal which will see Diagne’s move become permanent if they stay up. Do you think this is realistic?

BG: Personally, I don’t think a loan offer is realistic.

Galatasaray want to buy a striker called Mostafa Mohamed from Zamalek and they need funds to do it.

But if Albion offer about 10 million euros, I think they can buy Diagne.

BCT: Galatasaray do want to sell Diagne and I think 5million Euro will clinch the deal.

Do you think Diagne has what it takes to score goals in the Premier League?

BG: I think he could score goals in any league in the world.

But the important thing is how you get the ball to him.

If his team-mates provide the right service he will score.

But he is not fast player, which potentially could be an issue in the Premier League.

He needs crosses into the box but if he gets them he will score goals.

BCT: With the right service and support from his team mates I think he could score in any league.