In a recent report, Mundo Deportivo mentioned that Barcelona have been offered a chance to recruit Real Betis winger Assane Diao this summer. It has been stated that the Catalan club would have to pay his €15m release clause to secure the services of the Spanish wide player.
Diao’s Rapid Rise In Spanish Football
Diao caught the eye at times with his performances on the left side of Real Betis’ attack in the previous campaign. The Spanish youngster scored four times in 28 matches for the Spanish outfit last season across various competitions.
The 18-year-old was a decent performer on the left flank and did well to average 1.2 shots, 0.6 key passes and 1.0 dribbles per game in La Liga. He was even tidy when distributing the ball in the opponent’s half after completing 78% of his attempted passes in the Spanish top tier (stats via whoscored).
His current contract at the Spanish club will run out in the summer of 2027 which could make it difficult for Barca to sign him on the cheap later this year.
Barcelona Have Been Offered A Chance To Recruit Diao: Is He A Prospect For The Future?
Diao is a good dribbler with the ball at his feet and can make some dangerous runs out on the flanks when he is playing well on the field. The Spanish whizkid can shoot the ball with power from long range and can engineer the odd chance for others around him in the final third.
Diao mainly functions as a left-winger but can also play as a right-sided wide player or as a centre-forward if told to do so. However, he is still quite inexperienced at the highest level and would need time to be a consistent performer in La Liga.
Still, there is no denying that Diao has the potential to be a future star in Spain. Thus, it makes sense for Barcelona boss Hansi Flick to try and snap him up this summer. At 18, Diao is undoubtedly a prospect to watch out for in the future, so Barca would do well to bring him to the Nou Camp before the end of this summer transfer period.
