Time is against Leeds United if they want to add a forward to their ranks with multiple reports suggesting Bamba Dieng will not be arriving from Marseille. Andrea Radrizzani had earlier confirmed the Senegalese forward’s arrival on deadline day, but Nice are now reportedly closing in on Dieng.
The 22-year-old began the day with a move to Ligue 1 Lorient in the works, but by lunchtime the word had got out on United’s interest in Dieng. Before 2pm, Radrizzani was welcoming the forward to the club on Twitter.
However, before 5pm the reports from France began to turn to Nice and their rival interest in Dieng. By 6pm, journalist Fabrizio Romano and The Athletic reported the plug had been pulled by the Whites and the pathway cleared for Lucien Favre’s side.