Transfer gossip: Portsmouth, Oxford United and Leicester 'chasing' 14-goal Ligue 1 striker valued at £5m
The current season is yet to be completed, but Pompey are alsready being linked with a striker ahead of the 2026-27 campaign
Pompey’s need to bolster their attacking ranks for their latest season in the Championship is seeing them being linked with a 14-goal marksman in Ligue 1.
With two games of the current campaign still to be played, the Blues are being credited with an interest in Lorient striker Bamba Dieng, who is presently enjoying his best-ever season in France’s top flight.
The 21-times-capped Senegal international has featured 21 times for the Stade du Moustoir side, who sit ninth in the table. And he’s contributed 14 goals in those matches to sit proudly as Les Merlus’ top scorer.
Dieng’s most recent goal came in Lorient’s impressive 2-0 win over former club Marseille last weekend as he continues to make a name for himself on the other side of the English Channel.
But as his stock continues to rise, so too will his price tag, with flashscore currently valuing the 26-year-old at €5.9m (£5m).
Dieng, however, is out of contract at the end of the season and will be available on a free transfer.
There’ll, understandably, also be other clubs taking note of his progress, with Football Insider’s Pete O’Rourke also claiming that Pompey aren’t the only ones keen.
Indeed, he claims current Championship rivals Blackburn Rovers, Leicester and Oxford United have been monitoring Dieng, along with German Bundesliga side St Pauli.
Pompey’s striker problems this season
Pompey will need to boost for forward ranks in the summer after a season to forget for their central striking options.
Colby Bishop has featured 42 times for John Mousinho’s side in all competitions this term but has just four goals to his name.
Makenzie Kirk, who arrived last summer from Scottish Championship side St Johnstone, has one goal and has failed to make a match-day squad for the past six games.
Meanwhile, Thomas Waddingham has zero goals in five appearances following a season hampered by injury.
The Blues have often faced criticism this season for their failure to bring in proper competition for Bishop, especially during the January transfer window.
At present, Adrian Segecic is Pompey’s top scorer this term with seven goals.
For your next Pompey read: Transfer report: Portsmouth midfielder Andre Dozzell 'agrees terms' to join MLS side upon expiry of Fratton Park contract