According to an exclusive report from media outlet La Semaine, Tottenham Hotspur are leading the race to sign FC Metz forward Habib Diallo – with the Ligue 1 outfit already working on finding a replacement for the 6ft 1 colossus.
Diallo, who bagged a fairly prolific 12 goals in 26 starts before the French top flight’s untimely cancellation due to recent events, has been ‘essential‘ for Metz this campaign according to a scout report from total football analysis – with the 25-year-old often being utilised as a target man who can hold the ball up and bring his teammates into play.
Should Spurs sign Diallo as a back-up to Kane?
Yes, absolute tank
No, need a more proven goalscorer
As well as his 12 strikes in all competitions this season, Diallo has also registered three assists, and this La Semaine report could hint that chairman Daniel Levy sees the Senegalese international as a bargain back-up option to star striker Harry Kane.
Indeed, taking into account the Englishman’s injury trouble this season, a swoop for Diallo is apparently on the cards as Spurs lead the race for his signature.
Diallo’s current contract at FC Metz looks set to expire in 2022, potentially prompting the club to consider selling whilst working on his future successor.
According to WhoScored, while the striker hasn’t found the net as many times as Kane this season, he could serve as a viable target man in his absence – especially going off his proficiency in the air.
Diallo, on average, reigns victorious in 4.3 aerial duels per game – nearly double that of Kane’s record, whilst also racking up more efforts on goal per 90 over 2019/2020.
Valued at around £10.8 million by Transfermarkt, with no price tag mentioned by La Semaine, Diallo could certainly be worth the punt going by his numbers this campaign.
Most of his goals in the 2019/20 season came last year. Things dried up in 2020.