Ibrahim Diabaté’s prolific form in Sweden has placed him firmly on the radar of AJ Auxerre, who are weighing up a late move for the forward before the transfer window closes.
The 25-year-old, who joined GAIS from Västerås SK in January, has made a striking impact in his first season at the club. Across 23 appearances in all competitions, he has scored 16 goals and delivered three assists, a return that has inevitably drawn the attention of clubs across Europe.
Interest in Diabaté has been widespread. Belgian sides Genk and Union Saint-Gilloise have monitored his progress, while Dutch outfit Heerenveen, as well as German clubs Fortuna Düsseldorf and Hamburg, have also been linked. Despite this, none have advanced beyond initial interest.
Auxerre, however, appear more serious in their pursuit. According to French reports, the Ligue 1 side are actively considering entering talks with GAIS as they continue their search for a striker.
With the window nearing its conclusion, the Burgundy club may look to accelerate discussions in the coming days.
While GAIS would prefer to keep hold of their leading forward, the Swedish club are not expected to stand in the way should the right offer arrive.
The player’s contract runs until December 2028, but a release figure of at least €2.5 million would be required for a transfer to materialise.
Auxerre’s interest signals their intent to strengthen their attacking options after a mixed start to the campaign. Diabaté’s consistent output and ability to adapt quickly in Sweden make him an appealing option for a side eager to add firepower.
For GAIS, the situation is more complex. Having established himself as a central figure in the squad within just months of arriving, Diabaté’s departure would represent a major blow in the middle of an already promising season. The club must weigh the financial benefit of a transfer against the sporting loss of one of their most decisive players.
The striker’s market value currently stands at around €1 million, according to Transfermarkt, but GAIS are confident they can command more given his performances and the length of his contract.
At present, the asking price is set at €2.5 million, a figure that could test Auxerre’s willingness to invest.
Whether the French side decide to push ahead with negotiations will depend not only on their evaluation of Diabaté’s ability to step into Ligue 1 but also on their readiness to meet GAIS’s valuation. For now, the Ivorian forward remains in Gothenburg, where he continues to deliver goals at a relentless pace.
As the transfer deadline approaches, the coming days will be decisive. Auxerre must decide whether to formalise their interest with a concrete offer, while GAIS face the challenge of potentially losing their most influential attacking asset just as the season is gathering momentum.
