NEWCASTLE are eyeing up a £15million swoop for Marseille striker Bamba Dieng.
The Senegal international is currently with his national team preparing for the African Cup of Nations.
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And Newcastle are weighing up whether to make a move this month or wait until the summer.
Dieng, 21, broke into Marseille’s first team this season and was rewarded with an improved contract last month.
Dieng is a product of the FC Diambars set-up in Senegal that was co-founded by Patrick Vieira in 2000.
He moved to Marseille in 2020 and won his first full international cap last October.
Newcastle’s January plans have had to change somewhat after Callum Wilson hobbled off the pitch in the 1-1 draw against Manchester United.
Defensive signings were understood to be a priority for Howe, but Wilson’s calf injury means a new striker is also a necessity.
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It’s claimed that the club still remain ‘confident’ of getting a number of deals over the line early in the window, giving the club the best possible chance of a rapid change in fortunes.
Meanwhile, Newcastle have reportedly agreed a £12million fee for Kieran Tripper with Atletico Madrid.
And the England right-back is also set to become the club’s highest earner on £100,000 a week.
Trippier, 31, is expected on Tyneside for his medical on Wednesday.
And the Toon will cough up £12m plus add-ons, which can rise to £3m.
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