Newcastle believe they've landed £250,000 bargain in Ousmane Diabaté

Newcastle United may have pulled off a very smart piece of business with the signing of Ousmane Diabaté.

The 18-year-old midfielder sealed a low-key switch from Gençlerbirliği in last month, before immediately returning to the Turkish Super Lig side on loan 

There has been growing talk around the youngster since Newcastle's move was confirmed, but a report from The i Paper's Mark Douglas has provided some insight into just how the deal came about and why the club are so excited about the young Guinean. 

Diabaté fee could be an absolute bargain

According to Douglas, Newcastle have paid around £250,000 to sign Diabaté.

That is a relatively small investment for a highly-rated talent who is now starting regularly in Turkey and has represented Guinea at full international level.

Douglas also reports that Newcastle were not the only club looking at the midfielder. Recruitment experts Brentford and Turkish giants Trabzonspor were also interested, but it was us who won the race for his signature, making the modest £250,000 fee look even more impressive.

Newcastle appear to have identified Diabaté at a very early stage of his development, before his reputation and transfer value had really taken off.

That is becoming an increasingly important part of the club's recruitment strategy, which Ross Wilson led from the front over a busy and brave summer of ins and outs.

Rather than waiting until a young player has established himself as one of the biggest prospects in European football and then paying a substantial fee to sign him, Newcastle are looking to identify talent earlier and provide a pathway for that player to develop. And Diabaté clearly fits that profile, with the club already very happy with how things are developing.

Touré comparisons, rave reviews and a January recall option

Perhaps the most eye-catching detail from Douglas' report is the comparison being made between Diabaté and former Man City star Yaya Touré.

That is obviously a huge claim and one which needs to be treated with caution, for now. Touré was one of the outstanding midfielders of his generation and Diabate has a long, long way to go, but the comparison does provide an indication of the type of tall, technical and all-action midfielder Newcastle believe Diabaté could become.

He is capable of playing as either a No.6 or No.8 and has been praised for his athleticism, intelligence and ability to carry the ball through midfield.

There is also an attacking side to his game, with the potential to break lines, drive forward from deeper positions and shoot from distance.

The early feedback on Diabaté is reportedly very encouraging. Douglas has revealed that Newcastle have been receiving rave reports about the midfielder's progress since the beginning of the season, with him also impressing on the international scene after shining in Guinea's 1-0 win over Kenya this week. 

Newcastle have also protected themselves with a January recall option, according to Douglas.

That gives the club some flexibility if circumstances change, although the current expectation is that Diabaté will remain in Turkey and continue his development rather than returning to Newcastle midway through the season.

At this stage, it's just good to see him playing regularly for club and country, impressing at a young age and providing more proof of our improving recruitment strategy, which seems intent on landing and developing gems before they become household names.