Newcastle set to fend off competition from Tottenham in the race for Ousmane Diabate | OneFootball

Newcastle United are set to win the race for highly rated Genclerbirligi midfielder Ousmane Diabate after pulling ahead of Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur and Brentford, according to the Daily Mail.

Diabate, who turns 19 next month, has enjoyed a meteoric rise over the past year, becoming one of Turkish football’s standout young midfielders.

After developing at Academie SOAR in Guinea, he seamlessly adapted to the demands of Genclerbirligi’s senior squad, impressing with his tactical intelligence, physical presence, and composure under pressure.

His breakthrough campaign earned him a senior international debut for Guinea, underlining his rapid progression and growing reputation across Europe.

Both Tottenham and Brentford had identified Diabate as a top long-term target for their midfield rebuilds.

However, Newcastle moved faster than their London rivals, opening direct talks with Genclerbirligi and presenting a clear vision for the player’s development.

A key factor in Newcastle’s pitch is their willingness to leave Diabate on loan at Genclerbirligi for the 2026-27 season.

This approach allows the teenager to continue his development with regular first-team football in a familiar setting, rather than risk stagnation with limited minutes in England.

Diabate played a vital role in Genclerbirligi’s run to last season’s Turkish Cup final, registering an assist in the narrow 2-1 defeat to Trabzonspor.

He also started in Genclerbirligi’s shock 2-1 opening day victory over Fenerbahce.

Meanwhile, Newcastle remain active in the transfer market for first-team midfield additions following the departures of Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes.

Talks are ongoing with Manchester City over a move for Nico Gonzalez, with the Magpies assessing multiple options to increase depth and quality in the centre of the park.