Dieng dramatically rejected Leeds in the summer, but they think they can get their man this time around
Leeds’ search for a forward in the winter transfer window has led them back to familiar territory, with the club now set to renew advances for Marseille’s Senegalese forward Bamba Dieng.
Dieng came close to joining Leeds on deadline day in the summer transfer window but dramatically turned them down at the last minute in favour of a move to OGC Nice before failing a medical at Nice and being forced to remain with Marseille.
Leeds come back for Dieng
Despite the sting of being jilted, Leeds are still interested in Dieng, who has struggled to get game time in France.
Marseille intended to use Dieng as a bargaining chip in a possible deal to sign Lorient’s Nigerian forward Terem Moffi, but the deal broke down after Moffi rejected Marseille’s advances.
Dieng had agreed to personal terms with Lorient and had reportedly undergone a medical, but once again, his efforts to leave Marseille were foiled by Moffi's unwillingness to join Marseille.
Dieng desperate for game time
With only a few days until the end of the transfer window, Leeds might be Dieng’s last hope of playing more games and getting consistent game time.
Dieng has started only one league game for Marseille and has amassed a total of 299 minutes in Ligue 1.
Despite his untenable situation, Dieng’s talent is undeniable and he showed more glimpses of it at the 2022 World Cup with Senegal where he scored against Qatar in a 3-1 win after coming off the bench for the Teranga Lions.
Dieng’s only other option for a transfer away from Marseille apart from Leeds is Everton, but the 22-year-old’s reluctance to leave France could be a major complication in a proposed move.
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