With the Senegal international El Hadji Baye Oumar Niasse set to sign for £13.5million, we explore just who is this mystery forward.
It’s no secret that 99% of fans had not heard of Oumar Niasse before the news broke on Saturday evening which prompted a hefty amount of YouTube videos flying around Twitter.
Niasse began his European career at Akhisar Belediyespor, 15 goals in all competitions to start off his rise of the European stage. This prompted many suitors, one being Lokomotiv Moscow who beat rivals to the Senegalese forward and signed in August 2014.
A difficult start to life in the Russian Premier League saw the player struggle, but the club then brought Igor Cherevchenko in to replace their previous manager and Igor would thrust Niasse into the team upfront. Safe to say he took his chance well; four goals and two assists in the Europa League saw him perform on the European stage while also scoring as well as eight goals and six assists from 13 starts in the league
Will he succeed in the Premier League, though? With explosive pace, strength and an unpredictable approach from the forward, it is likely that he will be able to dazzle defences and with experience of playing in the middle, he could be a versatile player for the Blues, something that Roberto Martinez is notorious for targeting.
Toffee TV spoke to Andy Brassell about the potential signing who gave fans a better insight into what we can expect from the forward.
Andy explained:
He is traditionally played as a winger on either side, not only is he a good finisher, not only does he keep his head up, he can create a lot of goals as well. He has adapted his game this season to play at centre-forward so not only can he work in tandem, maybe he can give Rom a bit of a rest. He will give them another option.
It’s a different kettle of fish in the Premier League but it gives them (Everton) another option.
He is really quick, he likes to dribble around players and he’s able to create for himself. It also allows him (Niasse) to run onto knock-ons from Romelu Lukaku, as well as ables Ross Barkley space in and around the opposition box.
