Newcastle ‘really like’ £12.7m striker at St. James’ Park

Newcastle United ‘really like’ Marseille striker Bamba Dieng as manager Eddie Howe looks to improve his attacking options, according to journalist Dean Jones.

The Magpies could face stiff competition for the 22-year-old, though, who is reportedly attracting attention from multiple Premier League sides following a promising 2021/22 campaign.

Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano previously reported that Dieng ‘will leave’ Marseille soon if one of his potential suitors pays his price tag, which is said to be around €15 million (£12.7m).

Romano also claims that ‘more than two Premier League clubs are keen on signing him’, though, meaning Newcastle will not have a free run at the Senegal international.

Dieng enjoyed the most productive campaign of his career to date last time out, registering eight goals and three assists in 36 appearances for OM while also helping his nation claim the Africa Cup of Nations.

However, the 5 foot 10 marksman appears to have fallen down the pecking order at the Stade Velodrome under new manager Igor Tudor.

The Ligue 1 giants have brought in Alexis Sanchez and Luis Suarez from Inter Milan and Granada, respectively, indicating Dieng’s game time could drop significantly if he sticks around at Marseille.

Jones has informed GiveMeSport that both Fulham and Everton are ‘further ahead’ in their plans to sign Dieng than Newcastle and that ‘other clubs’ may also have him on their radar.

In an interview with GMS, he said: “Dieng is one they really like as well.

“I think after looking further into it, they’ve discovered that Fulham and Everton are actually further ahead than they are in terms of scoping out what the deal is and whether they can get him to the Premier League.

“And I think there’ll be other clubs