90min reporter Graeme Bailey has named Celtic among a number of clubs interested in Bamba Dieng.
French outlet Homme Du Match (via Daily Record) recently claimed that the Hoops were looking at the Senegalese centre-forward after it emerged that he had fallen out with new Marseille boss Igor Tudor and hasn’t been training with the team.
The 22-year-old could now be a viable option for Ange Postecoglou to explore, particularly given he can operate anywhere across the front three.
However, it does seem as if the Scottish champions will face plenty of competition from clubs down south, with no fewer than four Premier League teams credited with an interest, according to Bailey.
Speaking on the Talking Transfers podcast, he said: “He’s only available because he’s had a falling-out with Igor Tudor, the new coach, who has fallen out with quite a few players.
“Now, Bamba Dieng is available for £15m. He could be one of the bargains of the summer. And that allows Newcastle then, if they do progress with him, to look at other options, so Newcastle are in for Dieng. A lot of teams are, though – Celtic, West Ham, Leeds, Everton – so Newcastle are in there, they like him and they are talking over this one.”
TIF Thoughts on Dieng and Celtic…
Do Celtic need another forward?
Yes
No
The 11-cap Senegal ace is heading into his third season at senior level after only emerging as a regular choice at Marseille last term.
After 10 appearances in all competitions during the 2020/21 campaign, Dieng played a major role in the most recent campaign, scoring eight goals and providing another three assists in 36 matches.
Only 17 of those were starts and he averaged a goal contribution every 142.5 minutes, with only four players scoring more often.
However, he wasn’t even involved as his current employers began their Ligue 1 campaign last weekend, so it will be interesting to see if Celtic do explore what appears to be a potential bargain.