How much money Bamba Dieng wants as West Ham-linked striker's demands set to change
West Ham United wouldn't have to pay Bamba Dieng much to sign the free agent this summer.
The 26-year-old striker is without a club after leaving Lorient at the end of last season.
He netted 15 goals in 25 total appearances for the French side in 2025-26, with 10 of those coming in Ligue 1.
West Ham could be in the market for a new striker before the window shuts, with a lot of the workload currently placed on Taty Castellanos' shoulders up top.
Whether or not the Senegalese international is a genuine target for the Hammers remains to be seen, however.
But if he is, then Irons chiefs have now seemingly learned what it would take for a contract to be agreed with the centre-forward.
Why Bamba Dieng's wage demands are set to fall
West Ham Zone has been tracking reports of the Hammers potentially being sweet on Dieng since the first links emerged this summer.
Dieng has endured a rough summer so far, having seen numerous potential moves collapse at the final hurdle.
As detailed in a report from Sevilla-based news outlet OrgulloBiri, they document collapsed moves to Saudi Arabian side Al-Shabab and Turkish Super Lig outfit Amed SK respectively, as well as claiming Sevilla could now be keen on signing him too.
That same report also claims that Dieng is looking for an annual wage packet of €1.8million euros (£1.5m) plus a bonus, which works out around £28,800 per week.
Already a fairly reasonable demand, the report goes on to suggest that due to his multiple failed moves this summer, his value has decreased further and as a result, he may be forced to ask for less money.
So, with a potential bargain free transfer available to them, would Dieng be worth the investment and could he take his game to another level at the London Stadium?
Why Dieng could have so much more to give at West Ham
As aforementioned, Dieng was with French Ligue 1 side Lorient last season, of whom he'd been contracted to since January 2023 prior to this summer.
They enjoyed an excellent first season back in the French top flight after winning Ligue 2 in 2024-25, finishing 10th of 18 and only nine points short of qualifying for European football.
However, as per FotMob, Lorient did average the 11th-highest shots on target per match (3.9) last term, as well as ranking 12th for big chances (68) and 13th for touches in the opposition box (649).
In short, they were a very modest attacking team in Ligue 1 last year, making the fact Dieng bagged double-figure goals look even more impressive.
You can expect West Ham to be one of the most potent attacking sides in the Championship this coming campaign, and so Dieng could have plenty more opportunities to stick the ball in the net.
If so, his Lorient production could hint at the Hammers potentially having a 20-plus goal striker on their hands if they were to sign him, which on a free transfer and for relatively cheap wages, that would be superb business indeed.