Here are the latest Leeds United transfer rumours on Thursday, September 8.
Dieng snubs Royal Antwerp
Marseille forward Bamba Dieng has effectively turned down a move to Belgian side Royal Antwerp, according to reports from French outlet L’Equipe. Royal Antwerp were reportedly preparing a €7million bid and were hopeful of signing Dieng before the transfer window slammed shut in Belgium on September 6.
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Dieng didn’t respond to The Reds’ offer despite reportedly receiving guarantees of regular playing time and a reasonable wage from Mark van Bommel’s side.
The Senegal international infamously snubbed Leeds’ offer on transfer deadline day in favour of a move to OGC Nice, before subsequently failing his medical with the Eaglets.
There was still the possibility of Nice activating the ‘joker’ rule, which permits one deal between two French clubs outside of the transfer window. However, the deal fell through after Nice wanted to lower the price of the 22-year-old striker.
Dieng is unwanted by Marseille boss Igor Tudor but looks set to stay at the Stade Velodrome for the foreseeable future.
Leeds’ next opponents secure 22nd signing
Leeds’ next opponents Nottingham Forest have announced Serge Aurier as their 22nd signing of the summer. The former Tottenham Hotspur right-back will join Forest as a free agent, subject to visa approval, after his contract with Villarreal expired.
Forest made a record breaking 21 signings during the summer transfer window and spent £145.8million in total after securing their return to the Premier League after a 23-year absence.
Aurier spent over four years at Tottenham after arriving from Paris Saint-Germain for a fee in the region of £23million in August 2017. He played 110 times across all competitions for Spurs and reached the UEFA Champions League final in 2019.
His solitary season with Villarreal was hampered by injury although he did make five Champions League appearances as the Yellow Submarine reached the semi-finals for the first time since 2006.
Agent details Leeds interest in Serie A defender
Empoli left-back Fabiano Parisi’s agent Mario Giuffredi has confirmed Leeds’ interest in his client after the Whites failed to sign him during the summer.
Pascal Struijk has filled the void at left-back in the wake of Junior Firpo’s injury, which has seen him miss the start of the season. The former Barcelona left-back joined Leeds from the Spanish heavyweights last summer but has failed to build after poor form and fitness.
Parisi played 25 times during his first campaign in Serie A last term as Empoli comfortably survived relegation on their return to the Italian top-flight. The Italy U21 international has amassed five league appearances this term – registering one clean sheet and conceding five goals.
Giuffredi told Italian website Tuttomercatoweb: “Yes, the last few days of the market have been very hectic. I consider him a great team player, he can be the transfer man for January or for the summer.
“He is of the highest standard. He can aspire to important goals. We had many clubs, from Atalanta to Turin to Fiorentina, Leeds and Nice, also in agreement with Empoli we decided to wait.”
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