Norwich City plotting to gazump Watford FC for £4.3m winger after landing Borja Sainz windfall | OneFootball

Norwich City are interested in Metz attacker Pape Diallo, who had been close to joining Watford.

Norwich City are interested in Metz attacker Pape Diallo, although Watford are still pushing to complete a deal for the player.

The 21-year-old has just enjoyed the best campaign of his short career, as he helped the French club back to Ligue 1 after they came through a play-off against Stade de Reims.

However, Diallo could be on the move this summer, as it has been revealed that Watford had been in advanced talks over a £4.3m deal for the Senegal international last week - they may now be hijacked by a Championship rival.

Norwich City have a transfer interest in Pape Diallo despite potential Watford move

It had been thought that Diallo would undergo a medical before finalising a switch to Vicarage Road, although it’s unclear just what stage the Hornets are at with that at the moment.

Yet, it appears there will be a fight for his signature, as The Sun journalist Charlie Wyett first revealed that Norwich are also tracking the youngster.

The Canaries are going to be in the market for at least one winger this summer as they are set to lose the influential Borja Sainz to Porto in a deal that is worth over £14m.

That will open up a vacancy on the left flank for the Canaries under Liam Manning, and with Diallo's most utilised position last season being that very same role, it looks like the African youngster is being targeted as a direct replacement for the outgoing Spaniard.

Pape Diallo could be a smart signing for any Championship side - Norwich City need to push for agreement

It’s no surprise to see that there are clubs interested in Diallo, as he is an exciting young player with a lot of room for improvement.

That’s the sort of profile that all Championship sides will be looking for, as you want players who can kick-on, as well as helping the team in the short-term.

Clearly, there would need to be patience with Diallo, as his main experience has come in the French second tier, but he has the ability to make his mark in England.

In terms of his attributes, he is a quick, direct player, and he can play in different attacking roles, so that will appeal. So, for £4.3m, he could turn out to be a bargain if he develops in the way clubs think he could.

Recent reports indicated that Watford were very advanced with this deal, so if Norwich are going to bring Diallo to Carrow Road then they will need to act swiftly.

Either way, with Sainz heading out of the door, it’s clear that Liam Manning will need to add some pace and creativity to the team, even after the signing of Mathias Kvistgaarden.

Sainz was a huge player for the Yellows, and whilst his goals dried up after an electric start, he still brought a lot to the team with how he played.