Newcastle were linked with a move for Metz striker Habib Diallo last week, with a bargain £7 million fee mooted, but reports now claim Chelsea and Tottenham are both set to join the chase.
With the original report claiming Leicester were rivalling Newcastle for the player, new added interest means any hope Steve Bruce had of bringing him to St James’ Park, is decreasing all the time.
Of course, Chelsea are currently under a transfer ban, and if that is not lifted, they will not be a rival for his – or any player’s – signature.
It is little surprise that other clubs are monitoring the Senegalese goal-scorer, with a minimal fee, and the player not likely to be demanding a king’s ransom in wages, he will be seen as a low-risk signing.
He scored a fantastic 26 goals for Metz in Ligue 2 last season, which saw his side romp to the second tier league title, and he seems to have continued where he left off this season in the top flight.
Diallo is currently the third top scorer in Ligue 1 on eight goals, just one behind Monaco’s Wissam Ben Yedder and Moussa Dembele of Lyon.
It is that form that has caught the eye of the Premier League scouts, and why Newcastle must try to strike a deal early if they are to try to fend off interest from some of the bigger sides.
It may be one striker in and one out at Newcastle
Bruce seemingly wants to bolster his striking options, with a current lack of goals from the players at the top end of the pitch, while the club could look to offload Dwight Gayle, which would increase the need for a new arrival.
But with interest from multiple English sides being reported, his agents will surely be trying to tout him around between now and January, in order to smoke out the best deal for their client, and ultimately, themselves.
As a result, Newcastle may find themselves priced out of a potential deal, with them unlikely – or unwilling – to present a package to the player to rival those of other interested parties.
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