Leeds United were keeping a keen eye on Kasimpasa striker Mbaye Diagne who has set the Turkish League ablaze with his performances. The Whites were interested in him in the summer, but the move didn’t work out due work permit issues. However, numerous reports kept on coming out even after the window closed and suggested that the Whites could go after him in the January window as he continued to impress for his side. Though now it seems like all of Whites’ effort are going to turn futile as the striker recently cleared it out that he will stay with his current side until the end of the season.
The forward was quoted as saying, ”I want to finish the season with Kasimpasa this year. It’s too early to talk about what will happen, whether I will join another team in Turkey or go to England or France or some other country. But I want to progress in my career. I know if I continue this way there will be many teams who will show interest in me. This is normal, of course, because a forward who scores a lot of goals always attracts attention.”
One can understand why the former Juventus striker is looking to stay with his current club right now as Diagne has often swapped clubs in his career and at none of his clubs he has had such an impact before. Signed in the January window, Diagne has found his footing in Turkey and has scored 23 goals in 28 appearances along with providing four assists. Those numbers mirrors that of a world-class striker, and it is no wonder that Diagne is attracting interest from different parts of Europe.
United were continuously keeping track of him and several reports came out that United’s scouts were present in attendance to watch him play. However, the club might have to look at other alternatives as Diagne seems to be committed at Kasimpasa at the moment.
The Senegalese can be a traditional target man on the pitch, but he is no slouch when he is on the ball as his pace, and quick runs keep the defenders busy. His conversion rate in front of goal is top notch, and United could have definitely done with a striker like him in January as he would have offered something more and could have been a crucial player in their promotion push.
Marcelo Bielsa had identified three positions where he wanted to bring in reinforcements, and a striker was also on that list. In the absence of Kemar Roofe, United struggled a bit in the past month, and Patrick Bamford’s long-term injury hasn’t helped either. So signing a forward in January makes sense for the club. However, the West Yorkshire outfit needs to identify other targets as Diagne currently seems out of bound.
