Tottenham have scouted an African talent currently plying his trade in the Turkish Super Lig.
Tottenham Hotspur have two games left to save their Premier League status. The main focus of Roberto De Zerbi and his players is to keep Spurs up in the top flight. Meanwhile, work has started behind the scenes to rebuild the squad after a disastrous campaign.
The Hotspur Way chiefs have decisions to make on the futures of several players. Joao Palhinha is one of those, with the defensive midfielder currently on a season-long loan from Bayern Munich. Tottenham do have the option to buy the Portuguese international at the end of his loan spell, and boss Roberto De Zerbi wants to keep him in the squad.
However, in recent days, Palhinha has been linked with a return to Sporting CP. At this moment, it is not sure whether Spurs will remain in the Premier League. So, it is proving difficult for their bosses to open discussions with Bayern Munich over a permanent deal for Palhinha, who could be tempted to return to his homeland and re-join Sporting CP.
Tottenham official in attendance to watch African talent
Perhaps, in the wake of Palhinha’s uncertain future, the Tottenham chiefs have started scouring the market for his potential replacement. This has led to interest in an African talent currently playing in the Turkish Super Lig.
According to Turkish journalist Safa Can Konuksever on X, a Spurs official was in attendance to watch Genclerbirligi talent Ousmane Diabate in action against Trabzonspor in the Turkish Cup semi-final on Wednesday. The teenager played 90 minutes, as Genclerbirligi lost 2-1 to Trabzonspor.
Ousmane Diabate broke into the Genclerbirligi first team only last month, and he has since impressed in recent outings. He made his first appearance of the campaign against Galatasaray in April, catching the eye with his passing, reading of the game and energy. The Guinean’s displays have certainly caught the attention of Tottenham, who were on a scouting mission in midweek.
The North Londoners have heavily invested in highly-regarded talents in recent years, most notably Luka Vuskovic, Lucas Bergvall, Archie Gray and Wilson Odobert. Vuskovic has shone on loan for SV Hamburger in the Bundesliga this season, while Gray and Bergvall have already become prominent first-team squad players at Spurs. And it looks like our club wants to continue that youth-centric policy in the upcoming summer transfer window.
Indeed, De Zerbi would need to lean on young, hungry and exciting talents to rebuild the squad, and Diabate might be the player Tottenham take a punt on in the summer.