Bamba Dieng heads to Belgrade for Red Star medical after Lazio setback

Bamba Dieng is travelling to Serbia for a medical with Red Star Belgrade after a problem with his knee brought an end to his proposed move to Lazio.

The Senegal international had travelled to Rome on Thursday, 20 August, to complete the medical required before joining the Italian club. However, the examination detected an issue with his knee and the transfer was subsequently cancelled, according to a report first published by Africafoot.

Dieng, who is a free agent following his departure from FC Lorient, has now seen two potential moves collapse within a matter of days. His summer has been marked by a series of late changes, leaving the forward still searching for a new club.

His first disappointment came in Turkey, where a proposed move to Amed SK fell through at the final stage. The Lazio agreement then appeared to offer him another route back into club football, only for the medical outcome to prevent the deal from being completed.

Despite those setbacks, Dieng is understood to have moved quickly to consider another opportunity. According to Santi Aouna, he has already left Italy and travelled towards Serbia.

The 25-year-old is expected in Belgrade, where he is set to discuss a move to Red Star Belgrade. The Serbian club could provide Dieng with the chance to restart his career after the failed negotiations in Turkey and Italy.

Before any agreement can be finalised, however, Dieng must undergo another medical examination. That appointment is scheduled to take place with Red Star Belgrade on Friday, 21 August.

The assessment is likely to attract particular attention after the issue identified during his Lazio medical. Dieng’s immediate priority is to complete the process successfully and secure a club after an unusually unsettled transfer window.

Red Star Belgrade are preparing for an important European fixture. The club are due to face Viktoria Plzen in the first leg of their UEFA Europa League qualifying play-off tie shortly.

The Serbian side’s upcoming match has also attracted interest from betting markets. 1xBet lists Red Star Belgrade as the favourites, with the club priced at 1.82 to win. A draw is priced at 3.95, while Viktoria Plzen are listed at 4.10.

For Dieng, the immediate focus will be on passing the medical and completing a move rather than the European fixture itself. If the examination goes ahead without the difficulties experienced in Rome, Red Star Belgrade could finally become the latest destination in a summer that has already produced two failed transfers.

The forward left FC Lorient without a contract and has been at the centre of repeated transfer developments since the start of the window. His possible move to Red Star Belgrade now gives him another opportunity to find stability and return to competitive football.