With claims that Iliman Ndiaye is heading closer to an exit this summer despite Sheffield United getting promoted back to the Premier League, the Blades have targeted a new striker in Bénie Traoré.
The Bramall Lane star has been linked with a move to Marseille in the south of France, which is a club he is a huge fan of, but there have also been claims he could head to another Premier League club, with Everton, Nottingham Forest and Fulham all interested.
This comes via L’Equipe on Friday, who look at the future of the Sheffield United forward from the perspective of Marseille and where negotiations currently at.
They bring up the interest from Everton, Nottingham Forest and Fulham in there, which we’ll get back to later, but the feeling is, at least at this moment in time, he is likelier to be heading to Ligue 1.
An ‘unconditional fan’ of Marseille, Ndiaye is said to have seduced those in charge of transfers there through his great season with Sheffield United.
The 23-year-old was undoubtedly one of the stars of the show last season at Bramall Lane, during which he scored 14 goals and assisted another 11 in 46 league games.
They write that ‘an agreement would be practically sealed’ between club and player regarding a transfer, while ‘first talks’ have kicked off between the two sides to ‘find a common ground’ on the transfer fee.
However, there are ‘numerous competitors’ for the signing, which is when Everton (in search for a new striker), Fulham (who might have a new need to replace Aleksandar Mitrovic) and Nottingham Forest (always looking for fresh blood) are all named.
That’s why Marseille ‘will need to be convincing’ and likely creative in finding the money needed to surpass Premier League competition, even if they seemingly have the player on their side for the time being.
