Bamba-Dieng-in-action-for-Marseille
Leeds United target Bamba Dieng has decided to join OGC Nice in a shock twist on deadline day.
The Lowdown: Radz confirms move for Dieng
The Whites have been strongly linked with the signing of the 22-year-old this week, with reports on Thursday saying a move was edging towards its completion as personal terms were set to be agreed.
Dieng has stood out as a star player for Marseille in recent times, scoring seven goals in Ligue 1 last season while netting once in 11 caps for Senegal, and Andrea Radrizzani even went so far as to practically confirm the deal on Twitter.
A fresh twist has emerged though and it’s a devastating one for Leeds fans.
The Latest: Deal collapses
Taking to Twitter, The Athletic‘s Ornstein claimed that Dieng was at a private airport weighing up whether to join Leeds or Nice, with Fabrizio Romano calling it a ‘crazy’ situation.
Romano then followed the news with the nail in the coffin as far as the Elland Road faithful are concerned – Leeds have pulled out of negotiations and Dieng will join Nice.
The Verdict: Big blow
The idea of Leeds not signing a striker hardly bears thinking about.
The Marseille star, capable of playing up front or on the wing, was seen as a direct replacement for the outgoing Dan James, who is joining Fulham, but having neither would suddenly leave Jesse Marsch’s squad looking lighter than it was before the window opened.
Radz and Victor Orta will now have to rush to pursue alternative targets, perhaps Wolves’ Hwang Hee-chan, who Jesse Marsch has confirmed is on the list.
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