Coach reveals Chelsea and Barcelona’s interest in prodigy with ‘rare potential’

Former Mali U17 manager Adama Diefla Diallo hails Seydou Dembélé’s summer decision and reveals Chelsea and Barcelona showed interest in the young talent. 

In August, the 18-year-old left JMG Academy and completed a move to Stade de Reims. Prior to that, a few European clubs wanted to secure his services, including Chelsea and Barcelona.

The attacking midfielder starred for Mali U17 under Diallo’s orders. The coach handed him his debut in April 2025 at the U17 AFCON. The youngster impressed for his country, who lost the final to Morocco on penalties.

Last November, Dembélé managed two goals and four assists from five U17 World Cup matches. He scored six goals and contributed seven assists from 14 matches for Mali U17. His performances and potential caught the Premier League side and Barca’s attention.

Chelsea already made an offer 

Last April, Sport Witness relayed news of the Blues tabling a €1.6m bid for the Malian. Earlier this year, the same source explained that Seydou Dembélé was on his way to Spain to complete a move to Barcelona.

However, Xabi Alonso’s side and the La Liga winners weren’t able to get the deal over the line. Stade de Reims secured his services, and the prodigy has an assist from two Ligue 2 matches so far.

Africa Foot, who previously covered reports of Chelsea and Barcelona’s interest, caught up with Adama Diefla Diallo. He describes the player as a “rare potential pearl”.

Transfermarkt now value him at €5m. When discussing this, Dembélé’s former manager opens up Chelsea and the Catalan club’s interest.

“I’m not at all surprised that his market value has reached €5m. He could even have gone beyond that, given everything he’s done since arriving at Reims. Above all, his rapid rise to the Reims professional team,” he said.

“The fact that he got off to a quick start with the first team and everything that happened surrounding his transfer. Since several clubs were interested in him, notably FC Barcelona, Chelsea FC, and others, that’s what drives his value up to that level. That doesn’t mean he was sold for €5m, but his value is estimated at €5m. In my opinion, it could even go beyond that.”

Backs decision to join Reims 

A move to the Ligue 2 side has helped him quickly enjoy minutes with the first team. That may have been difficult either at Chelsea or Barcelona.

Adama Diefla Diallo, without mentioning the Blues or Hansi Flick’s side, backs his decision to pick Stade de Reims.

“For me, he made a very good choice. It’s already evident… From the moment he arrived, he started playing matches with the Stade de Reims youth team, and then very quickly, he played with the first team. So, for me, he couldn’t have made a better choice,” Diallo explained.

“He’s at a club where he’ll progress rapidly. There won’t be many language barriers. Learning at the professional level is quick. He’ll adapt quickly; it’s a French-speaking country. At the same time, he will find young people from academies in Mali. So, for me, the adaptation becomes easier.”

If the prodigy were to regularly impress for the French club, it won’t be long before the Camp Nou side, Chelsea or other top clubs come calling.