‘Massive gamble’ – Exclusive: Pundit reacts to major West Brom transfer update from Sky Sports
We’re delighted to welcome former West Brom striker Kevin Phillips as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at The Hawthorns…
Kevin Phillips claims West Brom’s bid to sign striker Mbaye Diagne on loan from Galatasaray stinks of desperation.
Sky Sports has reported that Diagne, 29, has completed a medical in Turkey ahead of joining the Albion on loan for the rest of the season, with the option for the move to be made permanent in the summer.
It is understood the Senegal international is now waiting for a work permit before he jets into England to complete his loan move.
Ex-West Brom forward Phillips is concerned about the deal, however.
Phillips believes Sam Allardyce would have preferred to sign Christian Benteke from Crystal Palace and that Diagne is someone who features lower down his shortlist of striker targets.
“It’s almost like they’re getting a bit desperate,” Phillips told West Brom News.
“Sam made it clear he was interested in Benteke and obviously that got quashed straight away by Crystal Palace so you move onto other people who are down the list.
“I felt in the summer it was a panic buy for Karlan Grant because when you saw he was given a six-year contract it was like, ‘we’ll give you whatever, just sign please, we need a striker’. It’s unheard of to give that length of contract to anyone.
“It smells a bit like that again – another massive gamble. Is he going to come in and score the goals to keep them in the league? Only time will tell.
“I hope he does but it’s a big risk.
“You have got to try something as long as it’s not breaking the bank and I’m sure it’s not. But they’re probably still paying over the odds for what they would usually have to because the player holds all the cards.
“West Brom need players and let’s hope it is a good signing but I’m a bit sceptical, to be honest.”
It’s not hard to see why Diagne would concern Phillips.
The former Juventus striker – who failed to make a single appearance for the Italian giants – has never played in a major European league and has also had spells in China and Saudi Arabia in his career.
While he’s scored 51 times in 64 Turkish Super Lig appearances for Kasimpasa and current club Galatasaray, it still remains to be seen whether he can be a prolific goalscorer in the Premier League.
Like Super Kev, we have our reservations too but we’re happy to be proven wrong by Diagne.
In other West Brom news, there’s been a big update on the ownership mystery at The Hawthorns.
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