Fresh transfer update over reported Portsmouth target amid Leicester City and Blackburn Rovers interest
Pompey were linked with a move for Lorient striker Bamba Dieng on Saturday along with Oxford United, Blackburn Rovers and Leicester City.
Lorient sporting director Laurent Koscienly has signalled his intent at tying reported Pompey target Bamba Dieng to a new deal.
The summer window is less than a month away and transfer speculation is rife as planning gets underway ahead of a critical point at Fratton Park.
Football Insider’s Pete O’Rourke suggested John Mousinho’s men were in pursuit of Dieng alongside Championship rivals Blackburn Rovers as well as relegated duo Oxford United and Leicester City.
Meanwhile, Bundesliga outfit St Pauli are also rumoured to have the striker on their shopping list, while reports in Spain have claimed Real Betis are current favourites.
The 21-cap Senegal international is enjoying his best campaign in front of goal at present, which has seen him net 15 goals in 22 outings in all competitions so far.
His immense contributions have spearheaded Les Merlus’ rise up the Ligue 1 standings in recent months, netting nine league goals in his past 14 outings.
Former Arsenal man expresses desire to hand reported Pompey target new deal
However, Dieng is out of contract at the end of the campaign, with his future uncertain amid fresh interest from abroad.
Indeed, sporting director - and former Arsenal defender - Koscielny has made his intentions clear over handing the reported Pompey target fresh terms this summer with his stock on the rise.
He recently told French news outlet Le Telegramme: ‘We’ll try to extend his contract. That doesn’t mean we’ll succeed. It also depends on what we’re capable of offering.
‘If we can agree on a joint project spanning a few years, it will be with great pleasure.’
News of interest from England, Germany and Spain comes 12 months after Dieng attempted to force a move away from Lorient.
This subsequently saw the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations winner left out of the first three match-day squads at the beginning of the campaign.
Although Koscienly admitted ‘there was a desire for him to leave’ last summer, the former France international has been impressed by his professionalism after failing to seal a move.
‘He’s a lad who embodies our values, with a great deal of humility. I remember he was sidelined a bit at the start because there was a desire for him to leave.
‘He’s been very professional. It’s up to us to do what’s necessary so we can continue on this journey together.’
Bamba Dieng’s career so far
Bamba rose through the ranks with French outfit Marseille before breaking onto the scene in 2021, netting on debut in a Coupe de France triumph over Auxerre.
From there, the frontman went on to amass 54 first-team outings at the Stade Velodrome, where he scored 11 goals and provided five assists.
The Senegal international completed a 10 million euro (£8.6m) move to Lorient in January 2023 and has subsequently netted 22 times in 56 appearances in all competitions.
Dieng’s three-and-a-half-year stay at the Stade du Moustoir looks set to come to an end at the close of the campaign, with Pompey a host of clubs reportedly on the trail.