Leeds 'furious' after French side Nice hijack transfer on deadline day, it's pure drama

Leeds are said to be 'furious' after transfer target Bamba Dieng snubbed the Premier League side in favour of a move to OGC Nice.

With hours left of Thursday's window, it emerged that Jesse Marsch's side had agreed a deal worth €10million for Marseille forward Dieng, who was expected to travel to Leeds Bradford airport ahead of penning a contract.

Andrea Radrizzani, the majority owner of Leeds, even tweeted at 1pm about the proposed transfer. "Let's welcome Bamba Dieng and we will continue to work on [Cody] Gapko," he wrote.

Agreed. Let s welcome Bamba Dieng and we will continue to work on Gapko. Now it s time to focus on the pitch and support our new project and the great job Jesse and the staff are doing 💪💛💙

— Andrea Radrizzani (@andrearadri) September 1, 2022

A four-year contract ahead of a proposed medical was even agreed upon, according to The Athletic, but in a dramatic twist, Dieng changed his mind at the last minute.

In fact, at one stage, the 22-year-old Senegal international was sat in an airport terminal in France with a private aircraft on standby as interest from OGC Nice emerged.

Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano says Dieng has decided to join the French club and as a result, Leeds have been left 'furious' with how the deal broke down.

Crazy story of the day. Bamba Dieng is at the airport right now (!) with his agent negotiating with OGC Nice and Leeds now furious after reaching an agreement with OM and player earlier today. 🚨⚪️ #DeadlineDay

…up to the player, or to club’s decision. pic.twitter.com/sfu6jd0iRO

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) September 1, 2022

Leeds have decided tovleave the negotiations for Bamba Dieng. Now deal is OFF — Dieng goes to OGC Nice! ⚪️🛩 #DeadlineDay

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) September 1, 2022

Here's how social media reacted to the news.

Name a more iconic duo than Leeds United and deadline day chaos. I'll wait

— Billy (@_billyreid) September 1, 2022

If reports of Bamba Dieng remaining at Nice airport are true, the late flight to Leeds from France will be Victor Orta’s second lone flight in less than 24hours.

The flight’s code H25B is the same as the flight which was scheduled in the UK over a hour ago.#LUFC #MOT https://t.co/ZUeh7BJESo pic.twitter.com/8wePkYHGwC

— LUFCFANZONE (@LUFCFANZ0NE) September 1, 2022

I once told Leeds fans on Twitter to welcome Bamba Dieng to the club, only for the player to negotiate a deal with another club in France before the transfer window shut. #lufc pic.twitter.com/PXvhtPpzIo

— I'd Radebe Leeds (@Radebe_Leeds) September 1, 2022

Bamba Dieng. pic.twitter.com/WXBQfoIQEr

— Thomas Bonnavent (@TBonnavent) September 1, 2022

Jesse Marsch is keen on strengthening his forward line on deadline day. Dieng, who scored 7 goals in Ligue 1 last season for Marseille, was clearly one of their top targets but the club will now have to look elsewhere.

A deal to sign PSV's highly-rated forward Cody Gakpo also collapsed on deadline day.

Dan James, meanwhile, is set to sign for newly promoted Fulham after the pacey winger had a medical at Craven Cottage on Thursday.

Dan James is undergoing a medical at Fulham ahead of a season-long loan from Leeds United ✍️ pic.twitter.com/KPjQohQSxc

— SPORTbible (@sportbible) September 1, 2022

The former Manchester United winger, who joined Leeds for a reported £25 million last summer, is seeking regular first-team football ahead of the World Cup this winter.

Thoughts on Leeds' last minute transfer business?

Let us know in the comments.