Leeds United are in talks to secure the services of Kasimpasa forward Mbaye Diagne this summer. According to recent reports, the Whites are inching closer towards sealing a move for the Senegalese striker during this summer transfer window.
The former Juventus attacker has recently shed some light on his future and was quoted to have said, “We’ll see what happens. But there is also an option to renew my contract with Kasimpasa, but this all depends on Kasımpasa, depending on the offer from Kasimpasa, the desire of the club. Then we’ll see what happens together.”
The 26-year-old has found the back of the net 12 times in 17 appearances for the Turkish Super Lig outfit during the course of last season which has not gone unnoticed by other clubs. It is understood that the new Peacocks manager Marcelo Bielsa is hoping to recruit a new striker this summer before the transfer window slams shut next month and Diagne fits the bill perfectly.
Some sources are now claiming that Kasimpasa are looking for a fee in the region of £3.6m [€4m] but there are concerns over whether Diagne can attain a work permit from the FA which derailed the negotiation process. It has also been suggested that Leeds will face stiff competition from the likes of Bournemouth, Hull City and Reading who have all held meetings with the Senegalese forward’s representative Ediz Balkan in Belgium.
Bielsa should go all out to seal a move for the Kasimpasa talent as the Leeds manager desperately needs a proven goal-scorer if his team are to challenge for a promotion spot next year. However, delays over work permit could mean that the Whites will have to look elsewhere in search of a new frontman.
The Yorkshire heavyweights had a mediocre campaign last term when they only conjured up a disheartening 13th placed finish in the second division of English football. Hence, their new Argentine manager needs to make some quality recruits in this post-season if his squad are to compete for top honours in the upcoming campaign.
The addition of Diagne will definitely bolster Leeds’ attacking options at Elland Road. The Peacocks has some promising frontmen in their ranks such as Tyler Roberts, Hadi Sacko, Caleb Ekuban, Kemar Roofe and Ezgjan Alioski competing for a place up top in Bielsa’s starting XI. The potential acquisition of Diagne will undoubtedly improve their side significantly and add more competition for places within the Leeds squad.
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At 26, the Senegalese sensation still has his best years ahead of him which the Peacocks could look to benefit from, in the next few seasons. Only time will tell what lies ahead in the future of Diagne and whether he ends up making a move to Elland Road before the start of the new season.
