A striker for whom Aston Villa were tipped to bid £11 million a month ago has joined another club.
Aksam made the claim, about the then Galatasaray player Mbaye Diagne, before Futbol Arena added that one of the Turkish side’s directors, Sukru Hanedar, was already in the UK to discuss his client’s transfer to Aston Villa.
But Villa, ultimately, made no further additions ahead of the deadline for Premier League clubs, despite loaning out another striker, Scott Hogan, to Stoke City.
And should they wish to add to their forward line when the window reopens in January, they may find that Diagne is off-limits – after the 6ft 4 Senegalese joined Club Brugge on a season-long loan deal which includes a purchase option.
Ironically, it was from Brugge that Aston Villa acquired their most expensive summer recruit, the striker Wesley Moraes for a reported fee of around £22m.
Diagne scored 11 goals in 20 games for Galatasaray, who are expected to replace him with Radamel Falcao of Monaco – although they have since signed Florin Andone from Brighton.
Aston Villa fans – should your side have signed another striker?
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