Kevin Phillips is far from impressed after West Bromwich Albion completed the loan signing of Mbaye Diagne until the end of the season.
Phillips not impressed by Diagne
The Baggies confirmed the signing of the 29-year-old on Friday (wba.co.uk), with Diagne joining on loan until the end of the season with an option to buy.
Speaking to West Brom News, Phillips was clearly underwhelmed by the capture. He said:
"It’s almost like they’re getting a bit desperate.
"Sam made it clear he was interested in Benteke and obviously that got quashed straight away by Crystal Palace so you move onto other people who are down the list.
"I felt in the summer it was a panic buy for Karlan Grant because when you saw he was given a six-year contract it was like, ‘we’ll give you whatever, just sign please, we need a striker’. It’s unheard of to give that length of contract to anyone.
"It smells a bit like that again – another massive gamble. Is he going to come in and score the goals to keep them in the league? Only time will tell.
"I hope he does but it’s a big risk.
"You have got to try something as long as it’s not breaking the bank and I’m sure it’s not. But they’re probably still paying over the odds for what they would usually have to because the player holds all the cards.
"West Brom need players and let’s hope it is a good signing but I’m a bit sceptical, to be honest."
Surprising
It is surprising that Phillips is so downbeat with this latest capture. The Baggies are always going to find it difficult to compete with top sides for new arrivals, and it is especially hard to bring in new players in this current climate. Diagne, though, is a striker with a good track record - he has 11 goals in 19 games in all competitions so far this term (Transfermarkt).
He has hit the back of the net consistently over the past few years, and with West Brom amongst the worst scorers in the Premier League this season (Sky Sports), they are crying out for a clinical finisher. Therefore, this deal for Diagne could be a stroke of genius from Sam Allardyce and co.
In other news, West Brom fans want to sign this 3-cap international.