Valencia Considers Aliou Dieng for Midfield Reinforcement

Valencia is actively seeking options to strengthen their midfield in the forthcoming winter transfer market, and one of the names that has surfaced is Aliou Dieng, a Malian midfielder currently playing for Al Ahly in Egypt.

According to journalist Sayed Nabawy, both Valencia and Oviedo have expressed interest in Dieng, although neither club has made an official offer at this time.

The 28-year-old is a pivotal figure at the Cairo club and is currently experiencing uncertainty regarding his future, which has caught the attention of several teams. Notably, Valencia is also considering other candidates, including Nigerian players Wilfred Ndidi from Besiktas and Frank Onyeka from Brentford.

Dieng has been an indispensable member of the Mali national team during the Africa Cup of Nations, where Mali advanced to the quarter-finals before being eliminated by the reigning champions, Senegal.

A product of Malian football with previous stints at Djoliba and MC Alger, Dieng made the move to Al Ahly in 2019, establishing himself as a key player in a club renowned for its title ambitions across Africa. Throughout his time in Cairo, he has played over 200 matches, contributing to the team’s successes in domestic leagues, national cups, and continental titles.

Currently under contract with Al Ahly until June 2027, reports have emerged from Egypt indicating that Dieng’s refusal to accept a recent contract renewal proposal has created some tension within the club. In fact, Al Ahly has recently adopted a stance of not entertaining offers for the player, as evidenced by their response to an approach from Al Hazm of the Saudi Pro League.

As Valencia navigates the midway point of the winter transfer market, their immediate priority is to secure a central defender. However, they remain focused on reinforcing the midfield with a physically robust profile that can enhance their defensive capabilities and help mitigate the number of goals conceded.