West Brom and QPR now racing to sign Bamba Dieng on free transfer

West Bromwich Albion and Queens Park Rangers are both “plotting moves” for a “very fast” playmaker, who is available on a free transfer.

West Brom and QPR may need to strengthen after difficult season

West Brom flirted with relegation from the Championship last season, before being guided to safety by James Morrison, who won four, drew six and lost just two of his 12 matches in charge, which was enough to finish four points clear of the bottom three.

However, a lack of goals was a problem for the Baggies throughout the campaign, finding the net on 48 occasions, which was the fourth-worst record in the second tier, suggesting they may need to sign a new forward this summer.

QPR, on the other hand, endured a difficult end to the season, losing their last four matches on the spin, indicating Julien Stephan may need a fresh injection of quality if his side are going to mount a play-off push next season.

As such, the Championship sides could now be set to battle it out for a new forward in the summer transfer window, which is set to officially open in just over a week’s time.

Race for “very fast” forward heating up with West Brom and QPR keen

That is according to journalist Pete O’Rourke, who has now revealed the Albion and the R’s are “plotting moves” for FC Lorient striker Bamba Dieng, who is poised to leave the Ligue 1 club on a free transfer when his contract expires this summer.

The 26-year-old’s performances for Lorient during the 2025-26 campaign have earned him a call-up to Senegal’s World Cup squad, and he has previously netted two goals in 22 appearances for his national side.

After winning the 2024-25 Ligue 2 title, it was a solid first season back in the top tier for Lorient, who finished in 10th place, and the striker was key to their success, scoring 16 goals in 26 matches across all competitions.

Bamba Dieng’s Ligue 1 stats

• 22 matches
• 10 goals
• 0.74 goals per 90
• 1 assist
• 1.8 shots on target per 90
• 10 big chances missed

Despite being a centre-forward by trade, the ex-Marseille man has also been lauded for his abilities as a playmaker by former manager Jean-Pierre Papin, who said: “I see what he’s capable of in training; he’s very fast, he holds the ball well. He just needs to score goals to take the next step. I think he’s frustrated that he can’t score, even though he creates chances.”

Dieng could be a real coup for a Championship side, and his availability on a free transfer is an added bonus.

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