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Top target: Leeds set sights on January swoop to sign highly-rated 26y/o - report
Leeds United are monitoring “highly-rated” QPR goalkeeper Seny Dieng alongside Premier League rivals Arsenal and Crystal Palace, according to The Sun.
The 26-year-old has broken through at the Championship side this season after spending the 2019/20 campaign at Doncaster Rovers in League One.
With Illan Meslier and Kiko Casilla at opposite ends of their careers, director of football Victor Orta and manager Marcelo Bielsa could be set to move for the Swiss goalkeeper to increase their strength in depth with The Sun claiming he’s their “top target” for January.
Dieng impressing in leaky defence
Per Wyscout, Dieng has made 62 saves in the Championship this season at an average of 2.88 per 90, ranking him fifth in the division for both metrics. He is also fifth for prevented goals per 90, with 0.23.
These are impressive figures given the struggles of his QPR side this season, with their total of 30 goals conceded this season higher than all but three teams (Wycombe, Coventry and Preston), as they languish in 20th place.
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However, if Leeds do secure the signature of the 26-year-old, he would likely act as cover for Meslier, rather than stern competition.
It is fair to say it has been a mixed opening half of the season for Meslier, the youngest regular starting goalkeeper in the Premier League at 20 years of age.
He has nailed down the Leeds goalkeeper jersey this season, starting all of their Premier League games after replacing Kiko Casilla at the back end of last season, but Leeds have shown their defensive vulnerabilities, conceding 33 goals with West Brom’s total of 39 the only team to surpass them.
Like Dieng in the Championship, Meslier has been kept busy this season, making 71 saves, behind only West Brom’s Sam Johnstone.
Casilla is 34-years-old and joined from Real Madrid, so a back-up goalkeeper on high wages at his age does not make much economical sense.
Therefore, a move for Dieng could be a wise financial decision, if he can provide adequate cover for Meslier and push him to improve further.
In other Leeds United news, our view on why Bielsa must think about dropping this defender.