Crystal Palace are interested in Marseille forward Bamba Dieng…
The Lowdown: Promising Season
The 22-year-old is yet to establish himself as a regular in Marseille’s line up, with only 11 of his 25 appearances in Ligue 1 this year being starts.
However, he has made the most of his limited game time, scoring seven goals, the joint-fourth highest at the French club. The Senegal international has averaged 0.65 goals per 90 minutes, which is the eighth highest in the league.
Having also been part of Senegal winning the Africa Cup of Nations on penalties, with the £7.2m-rated attacker converting his penalty, Dieng will look back at this campaign with fond memories.
The Latest: Palace Interested
Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, Daily Express journalist Ryan Taylor has revealed that the Eagles are looking at the 5 foot 10 striker, as he fits the club’s desire to bring in younger, cheaper players.
Taylor said: “With Palace, you’ve got to sort of question how much they have available to spend, and being realistic, it’s not going to be players that cost £25 million, it’s going to be sort of that £10 million to £20 million bracket.
“So, you need to sort of be cautious over what kind of quality you’re going to get at that price, and the best way to invest would be the younger players, as they’ve done. And they’re reaping the rewards of that now.
“I think Cheick Doucoure is one that they’ve looked at certainly, and Bamba Dieng as well from Marseille.”
The Verdict: Would Improve Eagles’ Attack
Patrick Vieira’s side would be in big trouble if they had to rely on their strikers for goals since their highest-scoring out-and-out striker is Odsonne Edouard with six goals, his last goal being in January.
Dieng would certainly bring greater goal threat to south London. His 0.65 goals per 90 would be the highest at Palace by some distance, the closest being Wilfred Zaha on 0.46 goals per 90.
His ability to get into goal-scoring positions led to Senegal legend El-Hadji Diouf making a comparison with former Chelsea big man Didier Drogba.
“He is a striker, a Didier Drogba. All he knows how to do is score goals.
“On three occasions, he can score twice. He is an attacker who ends up in the box.”
With the 2021-22 Ligue 1 Goal of the Season winner reportedly only on a reported £880-per-week, Dieng ticks all of Palace’s boxes in terms of being cheap and young, and would improve their frontline.
AND in other news, Patrick Vieira wants £24.5m-rated “big, big, talent” at Palace…