According to Football.London’s Alasdair Gold, Habib Diallo is gunning for a Tottenham move this summer. The Metz forward is believed to have been identified as Spurs’ priority target, following the arrival of Joe Hart, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Matt Doherty. Diallo himself is keen on moving to north London as he seeks to take the next step in his career.
Habib Diallo: A consistent goalscorer?
Diallo has been a part of the Metz side since 2013. But, it wasn’t until a relatively impressive loan spell at Stade Brest in 2017 when he truly gained a reputation in the French club.
Indeed, the nine goals in 34 matches for Brest during the 2017/18 campaign earned him a prominent role at Metz the following season, and the forward didn’t disappoint either, finding the back of the net 26 times in just 37 matches in Ligue 2. His contributions in front of goal were critical behind Metz’s promotion to the top-flight in 2019.
Although Diallo has not been able to replicate the same level of scoring prowess, his tally of 12 goals in 26 matches helped his club preserve their status in the top-flight last season, though the campaign did eventually get dismissed.
A perfect option for Jose Mourinho?
Diallo is primarily known for his physical and goalscoring prowess. He has an imposing 1.86m frame that makes him quite a threat in the air while also aiding him in physical duels. Those characteristics are ideally suited to Jose Mourinho’s tactical philosophy that generally requires strikers to provide a level of competence against defenders.
However, what makes Diallo such an appealing target for Mourinho is his lethal finishing. The Senegalese international is capable of sniffing goalscoring opportunities and is a confident finisher while his vicious right foot allows him to test the goalkeeper from long-range. A chunk of his shots in Ligue 1 last season came from outside the box.
Why Spurs must sign Diallo
Diallo’s rather one-dimensional footballing attributes make him a perfect back-up for Harry Kane at Tottenham. He has the qualities to thrive under Mourinho, and his physical prowess should tune in well with the Premier League. He also has a significant amount of experience at the highest level of football.
Not to mention, the 25-year-old is a cost-effective option for Spurs, at least when compared to Premier League options such as Callum Wilson. It bodes well for the Lilywhites, who are having to settle for cheaper players following the Coronavirus pandemic that has crippled their financial firepower.
Yet, Mourinho has done a fantastic job by bagging bargains such as Doherty and Hojbjerg. Diallo, in that regard, should be the next smart coup for the Portuguese mastermind this summer.
