Newcastle United wanted Bamba Dieng in January but will not be returning with a new move for the Marseille attacker this summer.
The Magpies are desperate for attacking signings with Eddie Howe ideally targeting two new faces in the final third.
Howe would like another striker to support Callum Wilson and Chris Wood, whilst a left-footed winger appears to be a priority too.
Deals for top targets have been hard to come by this summer but Newcastle aren’t planning to drop their demands for real quality.
Newcastle United wanted Bamba Dieng in January
One of the names Newcastle considered in January was Marseille attacker Bamba Dieng.
The Express reported in January that Newcastle had communicated to Dieng’s representatives that they were considering a late deal.
Marseille were seeking around £15million at the time and Dieng had been branded ‘the new Sadio Mane’.
Dieng, 22, scored seven goals in 25 Ligue 1 appearances last season but only 11 of those games came as a starter.
The Senegal international can play up front or our wide and, whilst lofty, you can understand those Mane comparisons to an extend.
So with Newcastle needing forward options, could they return for Dieng?
It looks unlikely as L’Equipe, as relayed by GFFN, report that Newcastle don’t plan to bid for Dieng because they want a higher calibre of player.
With Marseille seemingly open to selling Dieng in order to raise funds, it would be easy for Newcastle to rekindle that January interest and sign Dieng after all.
Dieng comes at a fraction of the cost expected for Moussa Diaby or Jack Harrison, but Newcastle aren’t compromising.
They want a real quality attacker rather than another option in the final third, hence Newcastle backing away from any move for Dieng this summer with Freiburg now the favourites.
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