Diabate's rise has been rapid. He arrived at Genclerbirligi in December after a switch to FC Midtjylland stalled, and within months had forced his way into the senior side, drawing scouts from across the continent to watch him play.
The Premier League clubs believe he can be prised away for around £3m plus bonuses, with Brentford understood to be in pole position as things stand, though Tottenham remain heavily engaged in the race.
A Guinea international, Diabate was called up to the senior squad by head coach Paulo Duarte for a friendly against Northern Ireland in Spain last month. He first attracted attention playing for SOAR Academie in his home country and at the African Youth Cup in Conakry in 2025, before his move to Turkey accelerated his development.
Brentford's interest reflects a recruitment model built on identifying young talent before prices rise sharply, while Tottenham's pursuit comes as the club looks to add depth in defensive midfield this summer.
Diabate's rapid emergence at Genclerbirligi, including minutes in the Turkish Cup final, has made him one of the most closely watched teenage prospects on the continent, with his combination of physical attributes and positional discipline seen as an ideal fit for either London club's system.
Genclerbirligi are aware of the growing interest and are expected to drive a hard bargain over any departure, but with Diabate's stock rising by the week, the two Premier League suitors are keen to get a deal done before his valuation climbs further out of reach.
For Tottenham, the move would add further competition in a midfield which has already welcomed new signings Mateus Fernandes and Sandro Tonali.
Brentford, meanwhile, have built a reputation for giving young signings a clear pathway to first-team football, something that is understood to appeal strongly to Diabate's camp as he weighs up his next step.
Both clubs are expected to continue talks with Genclerbirligi and the player's representatives in the coming weeks as they look to get an agreement over the line before pre-season begins in earnest.