Leicester City will be looking to snap up a brand new red-hot striker ahead of going all out for promotion in League One.
Already, Lorent Tolaj's name has floated about, as Leicester try to make a name for themselves as an expressive side again, away from relying on the likes of Patson Daka and Jordan Ayew to fire home the goals, with the Plymouth Argyle striker bagging a lethal 18 strikes last season in the third tier.
The relegated Foxes have even been tipped to be looking at Ligue 1 sensation Bamba Dieng, as they hunt down a fresh and lethal centre-forward, with the Lorient menace a revelation this season in France.
Why Dieng is surely near the top of the Leicester shopping list
Formerly on the books of Ligue 1 giants Marseille, Dieng has made a name for himself plying his trade for Orient.
This season, the 26-year-old striker has been a constant source of goals for his employers, powering home a deadly ten strikes from 21 contests.
To add context, back at the King Power, only Jordan James would hit double figures for goals, and he's a midfielder.
10e but de Bamba Dieng 🇸🇳🚀 pic.twitter.com/PIzSsNyhMS
— Ligue 1 McDonald's (@Ligue1) May 11, 2026
Adding in Dieng to the Leicester ranks this summer would certainly help the sleeping giants take League One by storm, but it will be a tall order trying to get him in through the door, as reports suggest that Blackburn Rovers, Hull City, and Portsmouth are all also keen on the breakout Senegalese attacker, with the Tigers one game away from a Premier League promotion.
To make their pursuit of Dieng even more far-fetched, journalist Sacha Tavolieri - who reports primarily on European football - has offered a bombshell development that will seriously trouble Leicester's swoop, with the Lorient number 12 surely turning his nose up at the third tier if this transfer link is accurate.
Tavolieri's bombshell development on Dieng
It would be an almighty shame if Leicester weren't able to win Dieng's services, as the Foxes have shopped in the French markets before to great success.
Indeed, both N'Golo Kante and Ryad Mahrez would be unearthed from Caen and Le Havre respectively, before going on to become electric Premier League winners at the King Power.
Therefore, Dieng would be tipped to follow suit, but this time around, to help Leucester soar straight back into the Championship.
Tavolieri's bolt from the blue announcement will pour considerable cold water over this pipedream, however, with the journalist stating - as per a Sky Sports report - that Dieng is in advanced talks over a move to the Bundesliga with Hoffenheim.
With Freiburg also noted as another keen party from the German top-flight, this does put the nail in the coffin, so to speak, on Leicester's interest in the 21-time Senegal international, as the relegated side simply won't be able to offer what the likes of Hoffenheim are putting on the table.
Dieng might even play against former Foxes midfielder Bilal El Khannouss next season, with the Moroccan playmaker now permanently on the books of Stuttgart, as Leicester's failures in recent years meant the 22-year-old was barely around at the King Power.
During their Premier League prime, Dieng would've jumped at the chance of joining the Leicester ranks. But, now, with reality sinking in, the pursuit of the 26-year-old feels very ambitious, and out of their reach.
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