Valencia eyeing Mali midfielder Aliou Dieng as winter reinforcement
Los Che exploring options to strengthen their midfield with Al Ahly's defensive pivot Aliou Dieng among targets, as the club seeks physical presence to shore up defensive struggles.
Valencia CF are looking to beef up their midfield options this January, with Mali international Aliou Dieng emerging as a potential target from Egyptian giants Al Ahly.
Defensive midfield hunt
The boys at Mestalla have reached the halfway point of the winter transfer window with their bread and butter priority being a central defender. However, they’re keeping their mince pies on midfield reinforcements too, particularly seeking a physical presence who can provide defensive cover and help build play from the back.
Dieng, 28, fits this profile perfectly. The Malian anchor man has been a standout performer for Al Ahly since joining in 2019, racking up over 200 appearances and collecting an impressive haul of domestic and continental silverware during his time in Cairo.
According to journalist Sayed Nabawy, Valencia aren’t alone in their interest, with fellow Spanish side Oviedo also monitoring the situation, though neither club has submitted an official offer yet.
Contract situation
Despite being under contract with Al Ahly until June 2027, Dieng’s future at the Egyptian powerhouse appears uncertain. Reports from Egyptian media suggest the club hierarchy wasn’t best pleased when he recently turned down a contract extension offer.
This represents a shift in the club’s stance, as they previously rejected approaches for the player, including one from Saudi Pro League outfit Al Hazm.
African Cup pedigree
Dieng has further enhanced his reputation with strong performances for Mali at the Africa Cup of Nations, where his national team reached the quarter-finals before being eliminated by eventual champions Senegal.
Alternative options
Valencia’s recruitment team aren’t putting all their eggs in one basket, with other defensive midfielders also on their radar including:
- Wilfred Ndidi (Besiktas)
- Frank Onyeka (Brentford)
Both Nigerian internationals would provide similar physical attributes to Dieng, though each would come with different financial implications given they’re currently at European clubs.