Newcastle United and West Ham United are set to battle it out for Marseille star Bamba Dieng.
According to Media Foot Marseille, Premier League duo West Ham United and Newcastle United are both set to fight it out for Olympique Marseille striker Bamba Dieng.
The 22-year-old is an upcoming talent and has earned rave reviews for his performances in Ligue 1. Despite him being keen to continue his career at Marseille, the club are ready to cash in and reinvest the money back into the squad.
This has left the door open for interested suitors to make their move. West Ham United have already brought in one striker in Gianluca Scamacca. The Italian will offer David Moyes an alternative to Michail Antonio upfront. Adding Dieng also to the ranks will give the Hammers two new strikers who can lead the line for years to come.
Capable of also playing on both flanks, the Senegalese international will give West Ham plenty of options. It should help ease the pressure on Antonio and Bowen, who were largely responsible for the side’s offensive inspiration last season. The French top division has emerged as a favourite of sorts for West Ham, who have also signed Nayef Aguerd and Alphonse Areola.
The Irons will, however, have to beat off competition from Newcastle for the 22-year-old. The Magpies are flush with cash but are adopting a slow and steady strategy that will pay off in the long term. Eddie Howe has transformed the Tyneside outfit, but they still lack a reliable goalscorer who can lead the line.
Dieng is far from prolific and still has several chinks to iron out in his game. However, given his age and potential, he is a long-term prospect who could lead the line for the Magpies for years to come. He could link up well with the likes of Bruno Guiamaeres and Allan Saint-Maximin, handing the Premier League another dimension in attack.
An excellent finisher, Dieng will benefit from the offensive ability that both sides possess. His ability to not just move into spaces but also link up with the players around him should see him fit in well in the Premier League. Whether it be Newcastle or West Ham, either side will be landing themselves a potential superstar in the making if they sign him.