Habib Diallo can’t stop scoring in Ligue 1 for Metz but can he have the same impact in the Premier League with Newcastle United or Leicester City?
Newcastle United and Leicester City will probably have to pay quite a bit more than was initially reported if they want to bring Habib Diallo to the Premier League after the turn of the year.
The Express reported over the weekend that the Magpies and the Foxes were set to go head-to-head to sign a Senegal striker who has been nothing short of a revelation at Metz for the last year and a half.
After netting 26 times to fire the Maroons to promotion last season, Diallo has taken to life in Ligue 1 like a duck to water. Eight goals in 12 games is a remarkable record for a man in his first ever top flight season.
Understandably, that form has not gone unnoticed. But reports in France suggest that a £7 million transfer fee, which has been mooted in the UK media, is likely to be well short of Metz’s valuation.
Jeunes Footeaux believe that it will take bids in the region of £18 million before the Ligue 1 newcomers even consider cashing in on a striker who is absolutely integral to their hopes of avoiding an immediate return to the second tier.
Now, considering that Newcastle have spent over £70 million on forwards over the last ten months, it remains to be seen whether Steve Bruce feels the need to add another expensive attacker to his front line.
Leicester, meanwhile, will surely be willing to stump up the cash as they look to secure a return to the Champions League.
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