Tottenham have missed out on a highly-regarded African talent to Premier League rivals Newcastle United.
Tottenham Hotspur have enjoyed an impressive window to date, with six players arriving at White Hart Lane. Andy Robertson, Marcos Senesi, Martin Dubravka, Jan Paul van Hecke, Mateus Fernandes, and Sandro Tonali have all become a part of Roberto De Zerbi’s squad.
The North London club have been in the hunt for attacking reinforcements for several weeks, but they also remain keen to add more depth to their midfield ranks. Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes have been the high-profile additions to their engine room, and the duo’s potential partnership could become the envy of the Premier League.
However, with the futures of Lucas Bergvall and Pape Matar Sarr uncertain, the Lilywhites have been keeping tabs on several midfield options. One of those is a youngster from Genclerbirligi.
Premier League rivals start negotiations for Genclerbirligi talent
Tottenham had reportedly scouted Genclerbirligi midfielder Ousmane Diabate earlier this year. The scouts were left impressed with the youngster’s qualities in and out of possession. This led to the North London formalise their interest in the Guinean prodigy.
However, according to reputed journalist Fabrizio Romano on X, Newcastle United have agreed a deal with Genclerbirligi for Diabate. The teenager has picked the Newcastle United project over three offers from European clubs, but will spend the upcoming campaign with Genclerbirligi on loan.
Diabate moved to Genclerbirligi last summer from Académie SOAR and enjoyed a decent debut season in Turkish football. He racked up 17 appearances, scoring a goal. Just a season in the Turkish Super Lig was enough to convince Newcastle United of the Guinean midfielder’s talent and potential. With European clubs circling, the Magpies have decisively acted and agreed a deal for the player. Details of the deal are yet to emerge.
A defensive midfielder by trade, Diabate excels in winning back possession for his team and recycling it. Following the departures of Joao Palhinha and Yves Bissouma, Tottenham are lacking such a profile in the middle of the park. This is why the African talent would have been a sound long-term investment in N17, and like Newcastle, Spurs might have loaned him back to his current club to continue his development.
Having agreed a deal for Diabate, Newcastle are set to benefit in the long term. It will be interesting to see how he develops.
