West Brom backed to beat QPR for £0 striker deal | OneFootball

26-year-old Senegalese striker Bamba Dieng could finally be heading to England this summer

West Bromwich Albion and Queens Park Rangers are both pursuing the same free‑agent striker ahead of the summer window.

As reported by Pete O’Rourke on X, the Championship rivals are each ‘plotting moves’ for Lorient striker Bamba Dieng, who confirmed his own exit from the Brittany club in May.

The 26-year-old Senegal international racked up 10 goals from 22 appearances in the French top flight, while registering one assist. In the Coupe de France, he scored five goals in three matches.

Last month, Dieng posted a goodbye message on Instagram - which included the line - "After some great years at the club, the time has come for me to turn an important page in my career."

West Brom backed to beat QPR to free-agent Bamba Dieng signing

FLW’s Baggies Fan Pundit, Callum Burgess, believes the move would make sense not just for West Brom, but for the whole Championship in general.

"I think Bamba Dieng would be a good signing for the majority of Championship clubs," he said.

"I can’t claim to be an expert about him, but he’s coming off the best season of his career, and definitely in Ligue 1 - I think that’s a league that translates well into the Championship."

In truth, Dieng nearly skipped the English second tier to jump straight into the Premier League a few years ago...

Back in the summer of 2022, Dieng appeared to be on the verge of a move to Leeds United before Nice dramatically hijacked the deal - only for the forward to then fail a medical at the Ligue 1 club.

He then spent several years in and out of form and fitness, including an underwhelming loan spell at Angers in 24/25 where he managed just three league goals from 18 appearances.

Even still, at West Brom, the need for more strikers is clear.

Daryl Dike has, of course, left The Hawthorns after four and a half years and 11 goals from 68 appearances, while the Black Country outfit is still awaiting word from Maja on whether he will accept the deal that has been offered to him.

Which is why Burgess thinks his side will have the upper hand over QPR this summer. The Fan Pundit continued with, "I think that with Dike going, Maja possibly leaving as well, that leaves us with just [Aune] Heggebo up front.

"If Morrison does want to persist with a front two next season, Dieng and one more striker would give us a really good selection of strikers alongside Heggebo."

Bamba Dieng predicted to make strong West Brom partnership with Aune Heggebo

Burgess concluded his verdict on Dieng signing for West Brom by telling FLW, "Hopefully Heggebo can find a bit more consistency and if Dieng can continue the form he’s shown in Ligue 1 - he can be a good striker for us."

Despite being the Baggies’ top goalscorer this past season, with ten in all competitions, Heggebo endured a 17-match draught which stretched back to December.

So, the theory that a free, in-form striker could take the weight off Heggebo's shoulders is one that Burgess - and perhaps the majority of WBA’s fanbase - can get behind.

However, with QPR also understood to be interested, West Brom obviously cannot afford to be complacent. Considering Leeds nearly signed him for a reported fee of £10m, it could be a very shrewd signing.