Nice put Bamba Dieng move on hold over injury concerns

OGC Nice are reconsidering a potential move for Senegal international Bamba Dieng because of concerns over his recent injury record.

The French club had shown interest in the forward, but the latest information suggests their enthusiasm has been tempered by doubts about his physical condition. According to Belgian journalist Sacha Tavolieri, injuries that have disrupted Dieng’s career in recent times have raised questions within the Nice hierarchy.

The club is understood to be concerned that those problems could affect the 24-year-old’s availability, consistency and performances over the course of the season. Nice are therefore expected to take a cautious approach before deciding whether to proceed with a transfer.

The potential risk is particularly significant as the club prepares for a new campaign in which competition for places is likely to be strong. Nice do not want to commit financially to a player whose involvement could be interrupted by recurring fitness issues.

Despite those reservations, Dieng remains a player with considerable market value. Transfermarkt currently estimates the Senegal international’s worth at €15m.

The forward’s next move is therefore uncertain. Nice could yet return to the deal, but the French club may ultimately decide against pursuing the transfer. Dieng is also attracting interest from Russia, with Krasnodar FC and Zenit Saint Petersburg reportedly monitoring his situation, according to exclusive information from Africafoot.

During his time with Lorient – known as Les Merlus – Dieng earned an annual salary of €900,000, equivalent to 585,000,000 CFA francs.

Dieng’s future is being assessed as Nice prepare to begin their French championship campaign against Lorient. The fixture will see Nice face the club the Senegal forward represented, adding further interest to the opening match of the season.

The betting company 1xBet has listed Nice as favourites for the game, offering odds of 2.15 for a home win. A draw is priced at 3.45, while a Lorient victory is available at 3.20.

For now, however, the central issue surrounding Dieng is whether Nice believe his fitness record presents too much uncertainty. The club’s initial interest has not disappeared entirely, but the latest developments indicate that any agreement is far from certain.