Celtic have been credited with interest in Fousseni Diabaté, the Malian international winger currently playing for Lausanne-Sport in Switzerland.
The 29-year-old has just come off the back of an impressive campaign in the Swiss Super League, notching eight goals and nine assists. With his contract due to expire this month, Diabaté is beginning to attract suitors across Europe.
Among those reportedly tracking his situation are Ligue 1 newcomers Paris FC, who are preparing to make a splash following their promotion. Celtic, meanwhile, are also said to be in the mix, as Brendan Rodgers considers wide reinforcements for his squad this summer. [AfricaFoot]
Rodgers knows Diabaté well from their time together at Leicester City. The winger arrived at the King Power Stadium in 2018 from Gazélec Ajaccio, but struggled to break into the side. Rodgers previously praised his talent but noted the difficulty he faced in dislodging the likes of Harvey Barnes, Demarai Gray and Marc Albrighton during his stint at the Premier League club.
“I’d seen a bit. I’d done my homework on him,” Rodgers said during his Leicester tenure. “It’s one of those where he is a talent, but there are others ahead of him. You can only have so many.” [Daily Record]
The winger, who has earned 12 caps for Mali despite being born in France, has since carved out a career across several leagues in Europe, including stints in Turkey and Serbia before landing in Switzerland. His form at Lausanne has reignited interest and, given the low cost involved, Celtic may see him as a shrewd option to add experience and depth out wide.
Whether that past connection with Rodgers gives Celtic the edge over Paris FC remains to be seen, but Diabaté is clearly a player with unfinished business at a higher level.
