"Money talks" - Pundit makes Middlesbrough transfer claim as Ipswich and Newcastle United circle | OneFootball

EFL pundit Carlton Palmer has tipped Middlesbrough goalkeeper Seny Dieng to stay at the Riverside this summer despite links to Crystal Palace, Newcastle United, Ipswich Town, and Sevilla.

The Telegraph has linked the Boro shot-stopper with a move away from the Riverside stadium in the summer. Premier League clubs, including Newcastle United and Crystal Palace, are said to be interested in the 29-year-old, as well as Championship leaders Ipswich Town, and multi-time European trophy winners Sevilla.

The manager has dismissed these links and said that he is not bothered about the potential interest in his number one, as per the Northern Echo.

Dieng was bought for £2 million by the North East club from Queens Park Rangers just last summer, as per The Telegraph, and they would be looking to at least double that figure in order to let him go in the upcoming transfer window.

Carlton Palmer verdict on Seny Dieng transfer talk

The former England international believes that the 29-year-old probably would have expected more from his first season with Boro, but that this potential disappointment doesn't necessarily mean that he'll want to be leave this summer.

Speaking to Football League World, he said: "Carrick has said that he has taken no notice of the interest that has been shown in their goalkeeper, who they signed from QPR less than 12 months ago. Dieng has been in unbelievable form, signed for £2 million, and now he's attracting interest from the likes of Newcastle, Palace, Ipswich, even interest from abroad too, from Sevilla.

"Dieng will probably be disappointed, I would think, with the season that Boro have had. When he signed from QPR, he would have thought that Middlesbrough, who were in the play-offs the season before, would have been pushing for promotion. So, if clubs come knocking, then there would probably be a conversation that would have to be had, but he is under a four-year contract.

"Should Boro decide to part with him, they will be looking for a huge transfer fee for the player. But, hopefully, Carrick will be able to convince him that there will be a summer rebuild and that they will be competing to be in the Premier League. But, of course, when big clubs from this league are chasing you, you want that opportunity to play at that top level. But he won't want to go and be on the bench when he is now the first choice.

"We all know that money talks, but, depending on what happens, I think that he'll spend at least another season with Middlesbrough to see if they can get back to the Premier League, as he is the first choice there and he is enjoying his time under Carrick."

Staying at Middlesbrough would be a smart move for Seny Dieng

Like Palmer said, Dieng probably expected to be the factor that came into this Boro squad and lifted them over the top, after narrowly falling short in the 2022/23 play-off semi-finals. But the losses of Cameron Archer and Chuba Akpom hurt the squad a lot this season, especially in the early stages of the campaign, and that's a big part of why they aren't involved in the play-off race now.

But, of the options that will be reportedly available to him in the summer, the best one is probably to stay put. Palace and Newcastle have three England internationals between them in his position. Sevilla and Ipswich offer him an easier route to a starting position, but no guarantee.

It's unlikely that Carrick's side are going to massively regress next season. There's a good chance that they will be back near the top six, if not in it, and this will give Dieng an even more elevated platform to show his talent, and really cement himself as someone who can go to a top club and start straight away.