Should QPR make a bargain move for Leeds outcast Toumani Diagouraga?
It is the season of goodwill, and a number of players stuck in the reserves at their clubs will be hoping that the New Year brings freedom to move on.
One of these is Leeds midfielder Toumani Diagouraga, who has not played a single game since the opening day of the season, a 3-0 loss against QPR.
That one game was enough to make up Garry Monk’s mind about Diagouraga, and while Leeds have gone from strength to strength since, Diagouraga is a better player than that one result would suggest.
Leeds United’s Toumani Diagouraga looks dejected at the end of match
One man who certainly would agree is QPR’s new boss, Ian Holloway, who criticised Brentford’s decision to sell Diagouraga to Leeds back in January, when Steve Evans was Whites boss.
Speaking to Sky Sports as a pundit back in February, Holloway said: “Brentford don’t look the same this season, they have lost their midfield security after selling Toumani Diagouraga.”
With Diagouraga on the sidelines for Leeds, a cut price offer from QPR for the midfielder – likely less than the £600,000 GetWestLondon report the Whites paid – could be enough to sign him, with Monk unlikely to stand in his way.
| Passing Accuracy | Won Tackle GAME | Ball Recovery GAME | Touches GAME | Ontarget Scoring Att GAME | Assist | Goals | Appearances | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toumani Diagouraga | 84% | 0.81 | 5.14 | 41.05 | 0.1 | 1 | 2 | 21 |
| Karl Henry | 78% | 0.81 | 5.94 | 46.74 | 0.03 | 0 | 1 | 31 |
QPR need to look at phasing out 34-year-old Karl Henry at some stage, having given him 13 starts already this season, and 31 appearances in 2016.
Diagouraga is five years younger at 29, and has performed marginally better across the calendar year, recording a higher pass completion rate, and offering more in attack, recording equal tackling statistics.
Holloway is well aware of his talent and with the midfielder cheap and available, he could be a shrewd addition. Diagouraga would likely jump at the chance to return to west London, and QPR could strengthen their squad while preserving their funds to add players in other positions.
Leeds United’s Toumani Diagouraga comes on as a substitute
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