Latest media reports have confirmed that Stoke City is interested in signing Badou Ndiyae.
The Potters are said to be keeping an eye on the 27-year old midfielder to strengthen their midfield. The Senegalese made his name while playing for Osmanlispor. He scored 17 goals in 61 games despite playing as a deep-lying midfielder.
His impressive performances made him a hot property around the European market last summer but it was Turkish giants Galatasaray who ended up with the signature of the 27-year old. The energetic midfielder who can run from box to box and has an impressive stamina and athletic qualities maybe well suited for the Premier League. At 27, he is unlikely to cost a fortune and Galatasaray may agree to complete a quick profit on the player.
Stoke City was guided by Mark Hughes to three straight ninth-place finishes for 2013-14, 2014-15 and 2015-16 season, their best place finish since 1974-75 before finishing 13th last season. However, the Potters who added weight by bringing in new players like Jese from Paris Saint Germain, Kurt Zouma from Chelsea and Saido Berahino from West Bromwich Albion has failed to perform this season.
Stoke City is known for their mettlesome defending and they have become famous in the footballing world as the place teams struggle to win points at. Their physical style of football at the bet365 stadium has been popularized to the extent that it is now considered an achievement for teams who to win matches on a “cold, rainy night at Stoke”.
They are a powerful side with tall burly players all across the pitch who loves to play the physical game. With the addition of stout and pacey attackers, they perfected their balance on the pitch. However, things have fallen apart this season. With the signing of Ndiaye, Stoke will be hoping to add that much-needed steel in their midfield once again.
Without specifying where the interest had come from, Galatasaray’s statement read: “Badou Ndiaye has received offers from clubs overseas. Badou has been removed from the squad set to face Osmanlispor as he is currently distracted from his on-field duties by the transfer talks.”
Ndiaye left the Galatasaray camp late last night reportedly declaring, “I want to go to Stoke City”. According to Turkish sports website Gamaspor, he said: “I want to go to Stoke. Sell me, I want to go…”
With only a few days left in the window, it will be interesting to see if a move does materialize.
