Middlesbrough goalkeeper Seny Dieng is a man in demand ahead of the summer.
Dieng, 29, only joined Middlesbrough from QPR last summer. But already he could be on the move again.
The Senegalese international has featured 31 times in the Championship this season, keeping 10 clean sheets and conceding 40 goals.
He’s had mixed reviews at times, but on the whole he’s proved to be a good signing for Michael Carrick‘s side.
And his solid form has captured the interest of other teams, with recent reports revealing that Newcastle United and Sevilla are interested in Dieng, among other teams.
Michael Carrick responds to Seny Dieng transfer interest
Carrick has recently given his verdict on the emerging interest in Dieng, telling The Northern Echo:
“That’s the nature of the beast. I don’t take too much interest in anything like that. We know the squad we’ve got, the players we’ve got and what they’re capable of. In terms of who is linked with who and what’s going on, it doesn’t bother me.”
Graeme Bailey warns Seny Dieng of potential Middlesbrough exit
And now, speaking exclusively to Boro News, transfer expert Graeme Bailey has warned Dieng that he’ll no doubt be signed as a back-up goalkeeper, should he leave this summer.
Newcastle United have a horde of goalkeepers right now but look set to offload the likes of Loris Karius in the summer, but Dieng would still be signed as a back-up player.
Game time would be very difficult to come by then, whereas Dieng is the no.1 at Middlesbrough.
Bailey said:
“Well Seny Dieng is being eyed up for no.2, isn’t he? He’s not going to be a Premier League starter, that’s for sure.”
It was previously said that Boro would want around £4million for Dieng, should they decide to sell in the summer; that would represent a 100% mark up after they paid £2million for him last summer.
Bailey though says that Middlesbrough would want only what they paid for him, possibly slightly more, adding:
“I think Middlesbrough will want to get back what they paid for him, maybe more?”
Michael Carrick has to persuade Seny Dieng of Middlesbrough potential
There’s a sense that Middlesbrough under Carrick are a bit of a sleeping giant.
They showed last season and at times this season that they’re a team with real potency in attack and real quality across the pitch.
And with a few smart additions this summer, Middlesbrough could become much more balanced ahead of next season, where they could become genuine promotion contenders.
So for Dieng, ditching Middlesbrough so soon into the project may not be such a smart move, especially to go on and sit on the bench at Newcastle, for example.
Whilst the lure of the Premier League is always enticing, Dieng could become a Premier League no.1 with Middlesbrough if he bides his time a little longer.
Middlesbrough though may jump at the chance to double their money on Dieng this summer, if not make a little bit of profit.
But Dieng should certainly heed Bailey’s warning before he makes a decision on his future.
And Carrick must do his part and persuade Dieng of the potential at Middlesbrough and what could be for the goalkeeper in two or three year’s time.
