According to a recent report from L’Equipe, Tottenham have opened talks to sign Rennes striker M’Baye Niang this summer after a noteworthy 2019/2020 season – and it may well be the right move as we scour the market for a Harry Kane alternative.
Niang, who has scored 29 goals and assisted nine others for the Ligue 1 side in all competitions since his move in 2018, is now reportedly enticing our interest after another impressive campaign.
The Senegalese forward bagged 10 Ligue 1 strikes in 24 outings for Rennes before the division’s cancellation, and while those numbers don’t seem too eye-catching, his other attacking stats display why we are allegedly showing an interest in his signature.
Should Spurs sign Niang?
Yes please
No
According to WhoScored, Niang managed 2.5 shots per game on average, with only star men Harry Kane and Heung-Min Son racking up a higher amount for Spurs this season.
As well as this, the 6ft powerhouse averaged more successful aerial duels per 90 than any Tottenham player whilst attracting a higher amount of fouls – potentially supporting the theory that he is a nightmare to play against.
Valued at just £10.8 million by Transfermarkt, Niang fits the bill of a powerful forward that could do well as a stand-in for Kane who may also come at a cheap market price.
As a result, moving for Niang appears to be a viable option as far as chairman Daniel Levy is concerned – with Kane’s January hamstring injury putting question marks around Spurs’ strength in depth going forward.
Whether or not we manage to land the 25-year-old is a different matter, but the numbers show he would be the perfect alternative.