It could be seen as a wholly irrelevant gesture, depending on how much you value social media, but Famara Diedhiou has dropped a sizeable hint that there should soon be some clarity over his contract situation at Bristol City.
On Thursday afternoon, the Senegalese striker posted a sand-timer emoji on Twitter, copying the exact message delivered by Arsenal forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang just two days earlier.
Aubameyang (sort of) clarified his post with the message, "It’s part of the sand that remains.." but with the Gabon international expected to sign a new deal at Emirates Stadium, Diedhiou's decision to mimic it is intriguing to say the least.
Bristol Live understands that after a year of on-off contract talks between the club and his representatives, there have been fresh discussions this week which could now determine his future.
Diedhiou finished the 2019/20 campaign as Bristol City's top scorer with 14 goals in all competitions and landed the Player of the Year award in his third season for the club.
His goals, attitude, work rate and personality has helped him successfully win over an initially sceptical Robins fanbase, who have previously been critical of his quality in front of goal.
But over three seasons in red, the 27-year-old has established himself as one of the most reliable targetmen in the Championship having signed for a then-club record £5.3m fee from Angers in the summer of 2017.
Diedhiou was subject of curious transfer interest last summer from West Brom and Cardiff City and has been a long-running target of Fenerbahce.
He is set to return to pre-season this week having self-isolated for 14 days after visiting Senegal following the conclusion of the 2019/20 season with a 1-1 draw at home to Preston North End.
Unsurprisingly, Diedhiou's mentions quickly filled up with messages from City fans pleading him to stay in the West Country, on a day when the club have completed their first summer signing with the arrival of Joe Williams from Wigan Athletic.
