Olympique Marseille have reportedly made a swap offer involving rumoured Leeds United target Bamba Dieng to sign Lorient star Terem Moffi, who West Ham have been heavily linked with in recent weeks.
According to Foot Mercato, the Ligue 1 giants are keen to sign the 23-year-old Lorient striker amid growing interest in Moffi this January, with Marseille now looking to offload Dieng in what the report states as a ‘desperate swap deal’.
Dieng was infamously very close to signing for Leeds in the summer transfer window. However, drama on deadline day saw the Senegal international reject a move to Elland Road in favour of joining OGC Nice, only for the attacker to fail his medical at the French club to see the deal collapse.
Since then, the forward has been out-of-favour at Marseille, and Igor Tudor is now looking to move Dieng on in a deal to sign Lorient’s star forward Moffi, who Foot Mercato note has been a ‘phenom’ this season with 12 goals in 18 league matches.
As reported by Sky Sports News, though, West Ham are hot on Moffi’s trail, as well, with David Moyes eager to add the 23-year-old to the Iron’s attacking ranks following the arrival of Danny Ings from Aston Villa. However, Marseille’s latest swap offer could be a major problem.
Indeed, a transfer that could see Dieng head to Lorient in exchange for Moffi is something that would appeal to the Brittany-based club. And for West Ham, their recent form in the Premier League could tempt the Nigerian international to head to Marseille rather than east London.
Marseille could now be clear favourites to sign Moffi
Swap deals are as rare as they have ever been in football. However, in the case of Marseille’s bid to sign Moffi, offering Dieng to Lorient makes a lot of sense for the French duo, and this deal could soon see West Ham miss out on the Nigerian international to a European rival.
After all, the two forwards are a similar age and likely earning the same amount at their respective clubs. And with Moffi and Dieng keen to move on this January, a swap deal makes a lot of sense between Marseille and Lorient, who could reach an agreement sooner than we think.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
