Leeds United want to sign Grady Diangana as £7m West Brom exit news emerges
Leeds United are interested in signing West Brom winger Grady Diangana, according to the Express and Star.
The newspaper reported (1 August) that the Whites face competition from Premier League side Burnley and Saudi Arabian clubs, while recently-relegated Leicester City could also challenge.
Diangana is believed to be valued at £7million by West Brom who are looking to increase their funds through player sales, after signing him from West Ham in a deal worth £18millon in 2020.
A risk
Diangana has had a tough time at West Brom since he made his loan from West Ham permanent in 2020. He has never been able to eclipse his eight-goal haul from his debut season and has not been the attacking force many Baggies fans had hoped.
However, despite his poor form in recent seasons, clubs are still seeing potential in the 25-year-old who could be looking to revitalise his promising career away from the Hawthorns.
While the Baggies must make sales, their manager Carlos Corberan has previously backed Diangana to rediscover his form. He said, via BirminghamLive (19 January), that Diangana was a “special” player who has the ability to make a difference in a game.
While not a prolific scorer these days, Diangana’s stats reveal why he could make a good Farke signing at Leeds United. His 5.42 progressive passes per 90 (81st percentile) [FBRef] shows him to be important in supporting his teammates during attacking moves.
Diangana is also defensively sound and often cuts off opposition attacks to launch counters. With 1.89 tackles per 90 (84th percentile) and 2.22 blocks per 90 (99th percentile), his ability in this department could be crucial in Farke’s system.
His energy keeps him busy across the field and could be harnessed by Farke to help him meet his potential.
Farke will be recruiting players who are comfortable at passing and linking up play but who are committed enough to the teams’ efforts that they are willing to track back and defend when required. Diangana ticks these boxes and for £7million, he could be worth a punt.
However, goalscoring is undeniably a weak spot and Leeds will need to be scoring plenty of goals next season if they want to achieve their top short-term aim of immediate promotion back to the Premier League.
West Brom seem open to a deal, and while it is a risk for Leeds considering his recent form, Diangana himself should seize this opportunity.
In other Leeds United news, Mateusz Klich has shared his controversial reaction to the departure of Max Wober.