Football Robins hopeful Diedhiou will stay for rest of the season
BRISTOL City were hopeful last night key striker Famara Diedhiou would be staying at the club for the rest of the season.
The Senegal international has yet to sign the new contract offered to him, and that could mean him leaving on a free transfer in the summer.
However, the Robins have said they are willing to let Diedhiou run his contract down, if needs be, and the possibility of that happening appeared to be increasing last night as the January transfer window moved towards its 11pm closing deadline.
Although we went to press before the transfer window closed, the indications from the club were that Diedhiou was happy to remain at City for the rest of the season.
Speaking at a presss conference for tomorrow’s Championship game at Brentford, head coach Dean Holden said: “There’s no change (on Famara’s situation). Famara has trained this morning and trained well with a big smile on his face, preparing for the Brentford game on Wednesday.
“There weren’t any enquiries that I was aware of today but there were a few bits over the weekend. But nothing at all today.”
Diedhiou has been in fine form recently and tops the club’s goalscoring charts for the season with eight.
As regards the likelihood of Diedhiou signing a new coontract before the season ends, Holden added: “Famara has always said that he wants to stay at Bristol City. Of course the club will keep talking to him and his representatives and let’s hope we can get that one sorted.
“My point of view, as I’ve said many times before, is the main thing is to keep him in and around the squad and when he’s been on the pitch of late he’s been in form, scored some goals and he’s been in some decent form prior to the game at the weekend. The main thing for me is that he’s fit and available.”
Diedhiou’s importance to the team was emphasised by defender Jack Hunt, who was also interviewed at the pre-Brentford press conference.
When asked about Diedhiou, Hunt replied: “Definitely (it’s best to keep your best players) for the football club moving forward.
“As a player you want people to stay but you don’t want to get involved in other people’s business.
“That’s for the hierarchy at the club and is Famara’s business. I can just say that he’s here today and I’ve seen him and hopefully he stays.”