Leeds United must not waste money as Grady Diangana transfer news drops
Leeds United have been linked with a move for West Brom winger Grady Diangana this summer, according to the Express and Star.
The newspaper reported on its website (1 August) that along with a host of Saudi Arabian clubs and some competition from both Burnley and Leicester City, Leeds are hoping to bring the winger to Elland Road this summer.
West Brom are expected to ask for £7m to secure the services of the 25-year-old as they attempt to raise funds to aid their own incoming business this summer and for that sort of fee, the Whites are probably better off carrying out their business elsewhere this summer.
Now Diangana can be a very special player, especially in the Championship, he’s proven it in a Baggies shirt. The 2019/20 campaign saw him register 15 goal contributions in 23 starts as Slaven Bilic’s side won promotion back to the Premier League, but his career arguably hasn’t hit the same heights since.
Last season the England youth international only managed to find the net four times and assist his teammates on another three occasions in 35 matches in all competitions, and while a lack of output was forgivable in Steve Bruce’s tenure, under Carlos Corberan the Baggies played a style of football that should’ve suited Diangana.
Now a look at his FBREf scouting report does show that compared to the majority of the wingers and attacking midfielders in the Championship, Diangana still possesses immense ability on the ball, sitting in the 97th percentile of his positional peers for progressive passes per 90 minutes, with an average of 5.45.
Similarly, he helps teammates around him advance up the field receiving an average of just under nine progressive passes per game, placing him above 93% of attacking midfielders in the division, a characteristic that will be attractive to Leeds.
However, his end product isn’t of the level that you would expect from a £7m winger, falling in or under the bottom 65% of wingers last season for non-penalty goals, shots and assists per 90 minutes, while also underperforming in front of goal when compared to his expected goals.
What Diangana does guarantee is a level of work rate that cannot be sniffed at. He more than got stuck into his defensive duties last season, lying in the 99th percentile for blocks per game and averaging just under 2.5 tackles per match.
Do Leeds need him?
Why we think Leeds shouldn’t spend their money on Diangana is less down to his ability, but more down to what Daniel Farke’s squad needs this summer. On the wings, there is already immense competition for places, with the likes of Dan James, Wilfried Gnonto and Luis Sinisterra and many others already competing for places.
While it remains more than likely one of these wingers will depart Elland Road before the transfer window slams shut at the end of August, it would seem a strange decision if Leeds are to spend that amount of money on probably their strongest area on the pitch. Especially when they could do with a new striker and options in defence.
The other issue with bringing Diangana to Yorkshire this summer lies in the player’s injury record, the 25-year-old hasn’t been truly involved in pre-season at the Hawthorns after having multiple operations on an injury and missed the final 12 games of the Baggies’ last season.
Fake already has too many injury-prone players among his ranks, the last thing he needs is to add to that list, especially not for £7m. If Leeds can spend that sort of money this summer they should instead try to spread it evenly across the areas of weakness in their squad.
The 49ers cannot afford to waste money.
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