According to the latest reports from Leeds Live, Leeds United are among the clubs touted to sign Newcastle United’s midfielder Mohamed Diame. The 31-year-old is currently in the final few months of his contract with the Tyneside outfit, and it seems likely now that he would depart from the club on a free transfer in the summer.
Marcelo Bielsa has done relatively well with this Leeds United side, but they have been found out on occasions because of the lack of depth in their squad. One area where they would need to add reinforcements is in midfield. Mateusz Klich has looked jaded on occasions, and Bielsa only had Adam Forshaw as the other plausible option who missed some part of the season due to injuries.
Diame has played a crucial role in Newcastle United’s midfield once again as he has made 28 appearances this season. The Senegalese international has a tremendous work ethic. That is one of the reasons why he has started over someone like Jonjo Shelvey regularly this season who can be regarded as a better ball playing midfielder than Diame.
What will he bring to the table?
The 31-year-old can do various jobs in midfield as he can play in a box to box role or even a defensive or attacking midfielder. His physical strength allows him to shield the ball well and he is often tough to shrug off the ball. We feel that Diame is still a Premier League quality midfielder and irrespective of whether the Whites move up a division or not, they should go all out to sign this free agent.
The midfielder has the experience of playing in over 230 games in the Premier League, and an experienced man like him can have a good influence on this relatively inexperienced side.
Why should Bielsa go for him?
The fact that he is already 31 might not make some fans happy as he is unlikely to play at the peak of his powers for long. However, United would do well to add an experienced midfielder to their squad. Moreover, he will genuinely add competition for places. Klich and Phillips have played continuously knowing well that the manager cannot afford to replace them.
Competition for places keeps the regular players in the starting eleven on edge and Diame could be a top squad player for the Whites. A signing like him might not bring the fans to their feet or get them overly excited, but the Yorkshire outfit needs to increase the depth of their squad which has caused them a lot of problems this season.
