‘Afraid’: President explains why West Brom didn’t sign £9m man; he wanted Tottenham

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Metz president Bernard Serin claims West Bromwich Albion held talks over a deal for Habib Diallo but no Premier League club made a serious bid, speaking to France Bleu.

Throughout the transfer window, it felt like only a matter of time before a man who scored a career-best 13 Ligue 1 goals in 2019/20 headed across the Channel.

But, once the clock struck 11pm on Monday, Diallo was posing for photos at the Franco-German border instead. Strasbourg paid £9 million to complete a deal no-one saw coming.

Sheffield United were expected to win the race for Diallo’s signature (La Republican), while West Brom wanted the Senegal international in a £20 million loan-to-buy deal (The Sun, 27 September, page 67).

However, according to Serin the uncertain financial situation in England meant offers from the Premier League weren’t exactly tempting.

“We had no offer from any English club. (There was) the vague beginning of discussion on a loan move to West Bromwich Albion, which was interrupted immediately,” the Metz president said.

“In a previous transfer window, we would have probably transferred Diallo to England for an amount between £10 million and £20 million.

“English clubs are afraid. They lost part of their revenue this year, they lose huge amounts in each game because of the closed doors. The clubs want the players, but don’t want (to pay for the) transfers.”

Diallo was initially dreaming of a move to Tottenham Hotspur but their focus shifted to Portugal once it became clear Benfica would let Carlos Vinicius leave on loan (Football London).

It seems no-one in England was willing to take the plunge on Diallo and pay £9 million up front.