Marseille block Bamba Dieng exit as Leeds United plot late move
Marseille have blocked Bamba Dieng’s move to Lorient as Leeds United reportedly plot a late move for the 22-year-old striker, according to Express Sport.
Mohamed Toubache-Ter, who has connections with elite players in Ligue 1, revealed (Twitter, 25 January) that Leeds and Everton had arrived at the last minute for the Senegalese striker.
It was understood that Dieng was set on a move to Lorient and had rejected both proposals. However, The Express have now claimed (25 January) Marseille have blocked Dieng’s move to Lorient due to Nigerian striker Terem Moffi refusing to move the other way.
“Express Sport can extraordinarily reveal that Marseille are now blocking Bamba Dieng’s £9million move to Lorient as Terem Moffi doesn’t want to join OM,” they wrote.
“Nice are now working to close a deal for West Ham target Moffi, who trained with Lorient on Wednesday morning, and he is their preferred destination of choice.
“Dieng, who is of interest to Southampton and has been linked with both Everton and Leeds, flew to Brittany with his agent last night ahead of a medical on Wednesday but now Marseille are stalling.”
Still got legs
It appeared a Premier League move was very much dead in the water for Dieng, but after this latest U-turn, could a move to either Everton or Leeds materialise? It does feel like the Toffees may push slightly hard for the striker, with their need potentially greater than the Yorkshire side at the moment.
Furthermore, Jesse Marsch has already signed Georginio Rutter in the January window as he looks to add further firepower to his attacking options. A midfielder looks like the most likely route for the American to go down, with Juventus midfielder Weston McKennie the latest player to be linked with a move to Elland Road.
If the board can get a move for the American over the line it would’ve been a very successful and ambitious transfer window. The squad is littered with youth prospects and international talent and should be expected to climb up the Premier League table in the second half of the campaign.
In other Leeds United news, visit our live transfer blog for around-the-clock updates straight from Elland Road.