Oumar Diakite
Oumar Diakité feels like one of those rumours that was simply too good to be true. The Ivory Coast international has been linked with a move to City for around £2.6 million, but his profile and likely wages make Sincil Bank an improbable destination.
The 22-year-old is expected to earn well into five figures each week if he secures a move to another top-flight club. That would place him far beyond the Imps’ usual wage structure, regardless of whether the reported transfer fee itself was affordable.
There may have been some initial interest, but the subsequent links with Schalke 04 and Amed SK underline the level of competition and the type of move available to him. With Diakité also believed to favour remaining on the continent, it is difficult to imagine this progressing.