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Bamba Dieng: A Portsmouth transfer rumour that smelt off from the start but now officially stinks Bamba Dieng is one of 20-plus names to have been linked with a move to Pompey so far during the transfer window Bamba Dieng! Do you remember him? If not, let us remind you. He was the first name to be linked with a move to Pompey once their Championship status had been guaranteed at the end of April. With 10 goals in 21 appearances for Lorient in Ligue 1 in 2025-26, the Senegal striker was reportedly being chased by the Blues as they automatically set about looking for ways to bolster a forward department that bagged just five goals during the whole of last season. And with Flashscore valuing the player at €5.9m back then, the fact he was set to become a free agent made a potential move to Fratton Park an appealing prospect for those looking on. Nearly three months on from that initial report, which also credited Blackburn Rovers, Leicester, Oxford United and St Pauli with an interest in the 26-year-old, Dieng has left Lorient upon the expiry of his contract. He’s also returned from the USA, Canada and Mexico, where he was on duty for Senegal at the World Cup, featuring once. Yet Dieng’s still searching for a new club, despite agents working tirelessly behind the scenes to get him a new job and exploring potential opportunities in England. Those efforts saw both West Ham and Middlesbrough subsequently linked with the former Marseille frontman, following initial news about his availability. West Brom, QPR, Derby and Burnley have also been mentioned. Now it’s claimed both Hull and Wrexham have presented lucrative packages for the player and his representatives to consider, with the Red Dragons apparently offering the striker the biggest contract offer in their history. It still might not be good enough, though, if true. Indeed, Deing is now apparently weighing up the English offers currently on the table alongside offers from the Saudi Pro League and Turkey. Valencia, Real Betis, Sevilla and Nice have also, supposedly, been monitoring the player’s situation closely, ensuring the free agent has plenty of options to choose from. In the meantime, Pompey are preparing to announce the signing of Serbia striker Marko Milovanovic in a deal that could eventually rise to €5m. The UD Almeria striker has been chosen as the one to inject fresh life into Pompey’s striker department. It’s a signing that has taken time to progress to this stage, but it’s always been the forward’s intention to make Fratton Park his new home. That would clearly not have been the case if the Blues’ interest in Diegn back in April were true. With so many other clubs linked and more joining the party as time progressed (or the player’s agent becomes more desperate), motivations and intentions need to be questioned. It was transfer gossip that smelt off at the beginning of the summer. It’s a link that now completely stinks as Dieng & Co step up their efforts to secure new employment as the new season quickly approaches. For your next Pompey read: Portsmouth boss John Mousinho admits squad concerns as he pinpoints transfer 'priority'