Viking FK defender Djibril Thialaw Diop has opened up about his frustration following the breakdown of his transfer to RC Lens during the final hours of the summer transfer window. The Senegalese player, who had been linked with several European clubs, described the situation as beyond his control, leaving him disappointed but resigned to the outcome.
Diop, 25, had been set to join RC Lens on a one-year loan with an option to buy, following interest from clubs such as Stade Malherbe de Caen, Paris FC, and Venice.
However, the move fell through due to the failed transfer of Austrian defender Kevin Danso from Lens to AS Roma.
Diop’s planned transfer was contingent on Danso’s departure, and when the latter’s move collapsed, so did Diop’s opportunity to don the Blood and Gold jersey.
Reflecting on the failed move, Diop shared his thoughts in an interview with Wiwsport.
“To be honest, neither RC Lens nor Viking FK is to blame,” Diop stated, emphasizing that the situation was beyond the control of all parties involved.
“Kevin Danso was supposed to sign for AS Roma, but after his medical, the deal was rejected. These are difficult situations to manage.”
Despite the unfortunate turn of events, Diop did not harbor any ill feelings towards his current club, Viking FK, or RC Lens.
Instead, he expressed his understanding of the complexities involved in football transfers, although the outcome was still disappointing for him.
“Obviously, it’s a big disappointment, especially since there were other teams interested in me, like Stade Malherbe de Caen, Paris FC, and even a Swiss club,” Diop revealed.
The defender also shared how quickly he became invested in the idea of joining Lens, a club with a strong project that had appealed to him from the outset.
“When I was presented with the project at Lens, I quickly felt involved and thought it would be better for me to join them,” he said. “But unfortunately, it didn’t work out.
It’s a disappointment, but that’s life and football.”
Despite the setback, Diop remains pragmatic about his future.
While the transfer window has closed in many countries, it remains open in others, including Switzerland, where Diop may yet find a new opportunity.
For now, he continues to focus on his career at Viking FK, keeping an eye on potential moves that could still materialize.
As the football world turns its attention to the ongoing season, Diop’s situation serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of transfer dealings, where a single failed move can have a ripple effect on the careers of multiple players.
