Everton striker target Bamba Dieng now wants to leave Marseille
Everton target Bamba Dieng has now accepted that he must leave Marseille this summer after being disappointed by the manager’s approach to him.
Dieng has fallen out of favour with new boss Igor Tudor and has been left out of the team for each of their Ligue 1 games so far this season.
Everton are among a host of clubs interested in a deal, including Newcastle United and OGC Nice, but after initially wanting to stay and fight for his place he has now changed his mind and is looking to leave before the window shuts according to La Provence [August 22].
OGC Nice are the most interested club, but Marseille are refusing to sell him to another French club for less than the €25m (£21m) that Arnaud Kalimuendo was sold for from PSG this summer.
However the report states that if an English club were to make a move the fee would be lowered to allow a sale, with Everton previously linked with a £12.6m move for the 22-year-old.
Development
Everton need a striker and there seems to be a very good option waiting in the wings for them to sign, and yet they’re not pulling the trigger.
Reinforcements in the attack are absolutely necessary before the window slams shut in ten days, and Dieng has a good goal record despite having limited game time last season.
He’s quick and nimble with good hold up play and has a variety of finishes in his game which would compliment the way Lampard and Everton want to play this season.
But with Dominic Calvert-Lewin still the number one choice when he’s fit, Dieng would be a great signing that could come in as backup and add depth, quality and competition to the squad for an affordable price.
The player is reportedly keen on a Premier League move and with Newcastle turning their attention to Watford’s Joao Pedro now, they seem to have a clear run at getting a deal done and over the line quickly.