Player left out of matchday squad as West Brom reportedly close in on transfer
Mbaye Diagne has been left out of the Galatasaray squad to play Gaziantep on Friday as he reportedly closes in on a move to West Brom.
Turkish news outlet DHA has reported that Diagne, 29, has completed a medical in Turkey ahead of flying to England to join the Baggies. Sky Sports reports the deal is an initial loan with an option to be made permanent in the summer.
Galatasaray confirmed via their official Twitter account on Thursday which players are in the squad to face Gaziantep in the Turkish Super Lig on Friday and Diagne does not feature amid the reports he’s on his way to the Black Country.
Diagne has been suspended for the last two matches but according to transfermarkt, he is available for Galatasaray’s upcoming match.
Where does this leave Grant?
West Brom spent almost the entirety of the last transfer window trying to sign Karlan Grant from Huddersfield, only for a deal to be eventually agreed on October 15.
Grant, 23, agreed a six-year deal at The Hawthorns with Albion agreeing to pay Huddersfield a £15million fee spread out over those six years.
However, Diagne’s imminent arrival at West Brom casts doubt upon Grant and what his place in the squad is.
Sam Allardyce started the ex-Huddersfield player on the left-wing against Manchester City on Tuesday night so once Diagne arrives, that could be something we see more of.
However, once Grady Diangana is back from injury, he might return to the left-wing and Albion could have to axe a player, who will cost them a lot of money, from the starting line-up.
In truth, Grant’s poor form is part of the reason why the Baggies need to sign Diagne with the 23-year-old failing to impress in the Premier League.
Diagne’s arrival could spur him on a bit or it could see him fade into the ever-growing number of failed West Brom strikers since the days of Peter Odemwingie and Romelu Lukaku.
In other West Brom news, there’s been a big update on the ownership mystery at The Hawthorns.
Be sure to follow West Brom News on Facebook and Twitter for 24/7 updates on the Baggies and more exclusive interviews with Kevin Phillips.