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.
READ MORE: Leeds United transfer news LIVE: 'Bamba Dieng still in France' despite Whites agreement
Meanwhile, Daniel James has been completing a loan move to Fulham. The Wales international sensed his playing minutes were about to crumble with a World Cup on the horizon and Leeds were not standing in his way.
With the very final hours of the window upon us, Radrizzani, Victor Orta, Angus Kinnear and Jesse Marsch have a major conundrum on their hands. It’s unclear what the agreed paperwork with Fulham states, but there has to be serious thought given to keeping the winger now.
If that move is allowed to go through, the Whites risk seeing a net loss in their squad depth on a day they hoped to add to it, or at least match exits with arrivals. The alternative is landing another of the strikers on Orta’s shortlists with barely three hours’ notice.
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