Championship rivals West Brom and QPR plotting moves for £5m-rated Portsmouth-linked striker

Pompey-linked striker Bamba Dieng is a wanted man in the Championship this summer.

The Senegal international, who will be heading to the upcoming World Cup in North America, is believed to be attracting strong interest from the English second tier.

The in-demand 26-year-old departed Ligue 1 side FC Lorient at the end of the campaign, bringing an end to a successful three-and-a-half-year stay.

Dieng exited the Stade du Moustoir having enjoyed his best campaign in front of goal, where he netted 16 goals in 26 appearances in all competitions.

This has seen a number of suitors across Europe track the powerful frontman, who will be available for free this summer.

And that list is believed to be growing, with Football Insider’s Pete O’Rourke claiming West Brom and QPR are the latest Championship clubs to register an interest.

The fresh report suggests the duo are both ‘plotting moves’ to land Dieng in the upcoming window as his stock continues to grow.

The £5m-rated striker was first linked with a move to Fratton Park in late April, alongside Blackburn Rovers, Oxford United and Leicester City.

He was also believed to be on the radar of Europa League finalists Freiburg, Hoffenheim, St Pauli, Sevilla and Real Betis as clubs across Europe take note.

An interest from Fratton Park, however, was denied, with The News understanding Dieng was not on Pompey’s transfer shopping list this summer.

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Pompey linked-striker available on free-transfer this summer

The 22-cap Senegal international will, though, be available on a free transfer for any club in the window after bringing an end to his three-and-a-half-year stay with Lorient.

The frontman scored 23 goals in 60 outings for Les Murles but opted against extending his stay at the Stade du Moustoir.

Dieng took to social media to pen an emotional farewell after his departure was confirmed in May.

He said: ‘To the entire FC Lorient family, after many wonderful years at the club, the time has come for me to turn an important page in my career.

‘I would like to sincerely thank the club, the staff, my team-mates, and of course, the fans for the trust, support, and love you have shown me throughout this adventure.

‘Wearing this jersey has been an honour, and I will cherish the wonderful memories of all the moments I've experienced here. Thank you to the fans for your loyalty and support, through thick and thin.

‘FC Lorient will always hold a special place in my heart and I wish the club all the best for the future.’

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