The 32-year-old defender is a free agent having bought out the remainder of his contract at Besiktas.

McLeish has made no secret of his desire to strengthen his back four after failing to land Gary Cahill before the transfer deadline.

But the former Scotland boss said: "His name came on my desk but it is nothing more than that at the moment. I am looking at it but I haven't done anything as regards bringing him in.

"I think somebody said that I'd signed him but it is only a name on my desk and I believe he is out of contract so that's the situation. He'd be a free agent."

Diatta has previously played in the French league with Toulouse, Marseille, Rennes, Lyon and St Etienne and was part of the Senegal squad which has been participating in the African Nations Cup.