Report: Aston Villa interested in signing Galatasaray striker Mbaye Diagne

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Turkish outlet Aksam have claimed that Aston Villa are interested in signing Galatasaray striker Mbaye Diagne before Thursday’s transfer deadline – just days after the African star was linked with Everton.

It comes as no surprise to see 27-year-old Diagne being linked with a move to a Premier League club, after he clocked up a whopping 31 goals in 36 league and cup appearances last season – for two different clubs.

Beginning the campaign at Kasimpasa, the Senegal international scored a quite incredible 20 goals in just 19 games. It earned him a move to Turkish champions Galatasaray in January, where he still scored 11 in 17.

Turkish newspaper Fanatik claimed that Everton had a bid accepted for Diagne, and that the former Tianjin Teda striker was on his way to Merseyside to discuss personal terms.

However, it seems as though Villa have entered the fray and are keen to sign Diagne, and are willing to splash £11million to land Diagne – with the club looking for another striker despite signing Wesley Moraes.

TBR’s view – Diagne’s goal record superb, but Villa must be wary

In the past few years, players that have come over from Turkey have struggled in the Premier League. Cenk Tosun was bought by Everton for a huge £27million, but he is already on the firing list at Goodison Park.

Diagne’s goal record is more impressive than Tosun’s was at Besiktas. To sign a player who has a better tally for a price that is smaller than half of what Everton paid for Tosun, suggests Diagne is a bargain – and he could be.

But the Turkish league is a poor standard. It is a risk, but not so much of one as Tosun was.