Rumoured Lincoln City transfer target Oumar Diakité is believed to have rejected the opportunity to move to the Championship, as reported by 225 Foot.
The 22-year-old has been linked with an ambitious move to Sincil Bank in recent days, with reports claiming City submitted an offer worth €3 million, approximately £2.6 million, to Stade de Reims. That figure is understood to match the French club’s asking price, but the latest suggestion is that Diakité is not currently interested in making the switch to England.
Ivorian outlet 225foot reports that the forward will make a return to the Belgian Pro League his priority, with Cercle Brugge having a €2.5m (£2m) bid turned down. The claim states that Lincoln’s approach was rejected by the player, rather than Reims, because he would prefer to continue his career in an environment he already knows well.
Diakité Favours Belgian Return
Diakité spent the 2025/26 season on loan with Cercle Brugge, where he rediscovered some of his scoring touch after a difficult period with Reims. He scored seven times in the Belgian Pro League and finished the campaign with seven goals from 36 appearances across all competitions.
The report suggests his preference is based on both sporting and personal considerations. Diakité is said to feel comfortable in Belgium, while he believes the style of football in the Jupiler Pro League is well suited to his pace, strength and direct attacking qualities.
That would represent a setback for City if their interest has progressed as far as the reports suggest. Earlier claims stated that the Imps had offered Reims the full amount required to secure the forward, with talks between the two clubs described as moving in a positive direction.
However, there has not yet been any confirmation from Lincoln, Reims or the player that a formal bid has been made. The story therefore remains firmly in the realm of transfer speculation, although the latest report offers a possible explanation for why a deal may prove difficult to complete.
Significant Interest At €3 Million
Reims are reportedly prepared to allow Diakité to leave for €3 million, despite his market value being placed at €5 million by Transfermarkt. The French side signed him from Red Bull Salzburg in 2023 and handed him a five-year contract, but he has struggled to establish himself as a guaranteed starter.
He scored nine goals in 56 league appearances for Reims before joining Cercle Brugge on loan last September. His spell in Belgium appeared to suit him, with Diakité operating through the middle and in wider attacking roles while producing a stronger return in front of goal.
His age, international experience and potential resale value are likely to attract interest from several clubs. Diakité has already won the Africa Cup of Nations with Ivory Coast, represented his country at the 2026 World Cup and accumulated experience in Austria, France and Belgium.
At £2.6 million, he would represent a major investment for Lincoln, and he’d become the most expensive signing in the club’s history. The level of the reported pursuit demonstrates the type of market City may now be exploring following promotion to the Championship, although BBC Radio Lincolnshire’s Rob Makepeace has stressed that there is no indication a deal is close.
He explained that paying around €3 million for a player of Diakité’s profile is the level Lincoln are capable of considering, rather than confirming that negotiations are at an advanced stage. That distinction remains important, particularly as conflicting reports have emerged regarding the player’s intentions.
His apparent preference for Belgium does not mean a transfer to Sincil Bank is impossible, especially while the summer window remains open and clubs continue to assess their options. It does, however, indicate that City could face a difficult task persuading the forward to choose England over a return to familiar surroundings.
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