'Talks take place' ahead of Wolves swoop for £18m Leeds United transfer target

West Bromwich Albion winger Grady Diangana is in high demand ahead of the summer transfer window, with bitter local rivals Wolverhampton Wanderers among his potential suitors.

West Brom held talks about extending Diangana’s contract before its due expiry on June 30, but it was decided a move away would be best for all parties. The former Congo international, signed from West Ham United in 2020 for £18 million including add-ons, has racked up 201 appearances for the Baggies, scoring 26 goals and making 22 assists.

Tony Mowbray confirmed during his final press conference as Albion head coach that Diangana would be leaving the club in the summer. It was just one nugget of information among many that Mowbray revealed in his last meeting with the media.

“I like footballers like Grady,” Mowbray told Birmingham World. “I hear the stories that he was amazing when he first came, like, 'Wow, what a footballer who helped this team and dragged it up by himself almost to get promotion'. Then there’s, ‘Oh, he’s dipped off a bit, does he show the same love?’.

“I think he’s a wonderful football player, but he’s one who won’t be here next year. I just hope we get the recruitment right so we can have footballers who can take the place of a Diangana and a Swift and these footballers who want to play with the ball,” Mowbray added.

Wolves interested in West Brom’s Diangana

Wanderers have a big summer transfer window ahead as manager Vitor Pereira prepares for his first full season in charge. It’s been an exceptional start for Pereira, the successor to the sacked Gary O’Neil, as he has won 10 of his 18 Premier League matches to date, picking up 32 points out of an available 54.

Even more success could be to come if Wolves get their summer business right and one area that will be focused on is the right wing. Pablo Sarabia is expected to depart upon the expiry of his contract, whereas the loan signing of Carlos Forbs from Ajax has been a failure. Jean-Ricner Bellegarde has played well in the past couple of months but Wolves will need some depth.

Despite their rival status, Wolves have been keeping tabs on Diangana’s situation as they believe the former West Ham man can help solve the imminent lack of cover on the right flank. Birmingham World understands internal talks have taken place at Wolves about Diangana as a potential target, while a shortlist of alternatives is in the process of being drawn up.

It’s unlikely Diangana would be a regular starter at Molineux but his pace and flair off the bench could be handy. The 27-year-old also has 37 Premier League appearances to his name from his time at West Ham, so his adaptation would probably be swift.

Wanderers aren’t on their own in the battle for Diangana, however. According to reporter Alan Nixon via his Patreon page, there’s interest from Major League Soccer clubs. It’s also claimed Leeds United are keen on Diangana as they seek to bolster their attacking options ahead of their confirmed return to the Premier League.