Marseille president issues shock update on Leeds target Bamba Dieng

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Olympique Marseille president Pablo Longoria has said he wants Bamba Dieng to sign a new contract with the club despite the striker almost joining Leeds United on deadline day last summer.

Speaking at a press conference via GFFN, the Ligue 1 official revealed that discussions will take place in the coming weeks between Marseille and Dieng over the 22-year-old signing a new contract despite the forward almost leaving the club in dramatic fashion.

As per Fabrizio Romano, Leeds thought they had agreed a deal to sign Dieng. However, the transfer collapsed as the Senegal international then looked set to join OGC Nice. But, in another twist, the forward failed his medical with the French Riviera side, leaving the youngster to return to Marseille with his tail between his legs.

The saga was one of the most dramatic of the entire window, and as a result, Dieng was dropped from the senior squad for a month as the striker has now only just begun to return to the pitch on a regular basis. And now, Marseille are keen to sign the Senegal prospect to a new deal.

Longoria said when asked about Dieng’s future at Marseille and if a new deal could soon be on the table for the African talent: “We want to discuss a contract extension in the next few weeks. We believe he will be an important player in Marsielle’s future.”

Indeed, Dieng signing a new contract with Marseille would be quite the twist given all that happened in the summer. And for Leeds, missing out on the Ligue 1 youngster again would be a kick in the face for Jesse Marsch, who has already been embarrassed once by the 22-year-old.

Dieng signing Marseille contract would embarrass Leeds to no end

It would be an understatement to say that Dieng has experienced quite a lot in his short career. Yet signing a new deal with Marseille would be quite a shock given everything that happened last summer. And for Leeds, it could be an embarrassment on their end.

After all, Dieng looked set to join the Whites on deadline day. However, football played it’s wicked hand that night as the deal fell through only for another transfer to collapse. And now, the forward staying with the French giants would be the cherry on top of the cake for Leeds.