Tottenham Hotspur have failed in their pursuit of a young African midfield starlet, who is on the verge of joining Newcastle instead.
Spurs are looking to add serious reinforcements to their attack in the final 12 days of the window, but the Lilywhites are also thought to be exploring midfield options.
It emerged earlier this month that Tottenham could make a late move to sign another central midfielder if they cash in on both Lucas Bergvall and Pape Sarr.
An 18-year-old Guinea midfielder was said to be on the Lilywhites’ radar, but he has now opted to join a Premier League rival.
Newcastle United set to beat Tottenham to the signing of Ousmane Diabate
The player in question is Ousmane Diabate, who has impressed for Gençlerbirliği Ankara since joining the Turkish club last summer.
It was reported that Tottenham were one of several Premier League clubs to have scouted Diabate recently, and this was backed up by recent updates in Turkey.
Just a few days ago, Fotospor (as relayed by Sport Witness) reported that Spurs were in a three-horse race to sign the teenager, alongside Newcastle and Brentford.
However, it is now being reported by several sources, including Fabrizio Romano, that Newcastle have agreed a deal with Gençlerbirliği for Diabate.
According to Turkish journalist Resat Can Ozbudak, the midfielder has now travelled to England for his medical ahead of sealing a switch to St James’ Park.
Why Spurs are unlikely to sign another midfielder
Even if Bergvall and Sarr both leave, which is far from certain, Roberto De Zerbi still has Sandro Tonali, Mateus Fernandes, Rodrigo Bentancur, Archie Grey and Conor Gallagher, who can all play in the double-pivot.
It thus seems unlikely that Tottenham will spend any more on strengthening the middle of the park in the dying stages of the window.
That is especially true when you consider that Spurs could end up spending £200m or more on Cody Gakpo, Savinho and Omar Marmoush before the window slams shut.