Could Rangers have just signed the rightful heir to £24m ex-Barcelona man’s throne?

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When Rangers signed Mohamed Diomande in January, they done so with a few objectives in mind.

Firstly, it was about signing a talented young player at the right moment in his career, ready to take a step up in expectations and make a genuine impact on the club’s squad.

Secondly, it was about signing a player who Rangers could develop, and potentially use as a template/inspiration for other talents, to go to the next level.

And finally, in something Rangers have made no bones about, it’s about flipping the kid for a substantial profit should he realise his obvious potential at Ibrox.

But if young Ivorian Mohamed Diomande is destined to reach the starry heights of football’s elite, perhaps the stage is set for the 22-year-old to become the natural successor to one Gnegneri Yaya Toure.

Can Mohamed Diomande follow Yaya Toure example?

Hailing from the Ivory Coast, as Mohamed Diomande’s career develops there will unavoidable comparisons to legendary midfielder Yaya Toure.

Whilst the pair differ significantly in size and stature, any transitional midfielder who links defence and attack and who can shoot from range will naturally be compared to Uncle Yaya.

The legendary ex-Barcelona midfielder – who was turning out for first Metalurh Donetsk and then Olympiakos when he was Diomande’s age – is one of the Ivory Coast’s greatest ever players.

Making 101 caps for the country, and scoring 19 goals, the midfielder is one of the greatest African players of his generation and surely an inspiration for Mohamed Diomande.

Also a £24m signing for Manchester City back in 2010, Yaya Toure had eight trophy-laden years at the Etihad and is considered a club legend.

In short, there are few better role models for steady career growth and elite-level success in an Ivory Coast context than the legendary midfielder.

Long way to go for Rangers and Ivory Coast talent

Whilst Mohamed Diomande still has some way to go to emulate the success of Yaya Toure, should things work out as planned at Rangers then it will set him on a pathway towards doing so.

Rangers have been clear they will aspire to sign young talent before they make that top five league move, hoping to flip them for big bucks after a few years of success at the club.

Player trading is essential to how Rangers will be run going forward and perhaps Mohamed Diomande is the modern example of how bosses at the top of the club want things to run.

We’re not trying to put pressure on the kid – who has made a bright start to his career in Glasgow – but it won’t just be Rangers fans who’re following the midfielder’s career closely.

In the Ivory Coast, they’ve been searching for Yaya Toure’s natural successor ever since he retired five years ago and Mohamed Diomande might just be about to step into that gap.

Not that the Ivory Coast are exactly short in the position, as two ex-Rangers star’s found out in the AFCON Final.