Oumar Diakite
Oumar Diakité looked like one of the more ambitious names linked with us this summer. We were reportedly close to landing the Ivory Coast international, with a deal worth around £2.6m discussed, but his preference was believed to be to remain on the continent rather than move to the Championship.
Since then, the picture has changed a couple of times. Schalke 04 appeared to be at the front of the queue at the end of July, with talks over a permanent move said to be advancing, but the latest reports suggest newly promoted Turkish side Amed SK have now agreed terms with Stade de Reims and are speaking to the player. I think this one has probably gone. There was clearly enough substance behind the original story to make it interesting, but once a player has seemingly indicated England isn’t his preferred destination, it’s difficult to see us still hoping.