Diakite: In action for Nancy

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QPR snap up Mali’s Diakite

Nancy midfielder Samba Diakite is close to sealing a loan move to Queens Park Rangers, the French’s club’s president Jacques Rousselot has confirmed.

The 23-year-old, who is currently on Africa Cup of Nations duty with Mali, will travel to England to undergo a medical, ahead of completing the season-long deal.

Diakite opted to join the English Premier League club after boss Mark Hughes made his admiration for the player known despite similar interest from Lyon.

Rousselot told L’Equipe: “Alain Giresse, coach of Mali, agreed that Samba could go to England to complete his loan.

“It will be a loan with an option to buy if QPR are still in the Premier League at the end of the season.”

Diakite, who can also play in defence, would cost QPR £3.4million if he signs a permanent contract and he becomes their third new arrival after Manchester City’s Nedum Onuoha and AC Milan’s Taye Taiwo joined the ambitious west London outfit.