Pep-Guardiola-on-the-sidelines-for-Manchester-City
Manchester City have held ‘several’ rounds of talks to sign FC Midtjylland defender Ousmane Diomande this week, according to reports.
The Lowdown: After Perrone?
The Premier League side confirmed the arrival of Velez Sarsfield midfielder Maximo Perrone on Monday, but the club’s hunt to find more up-and-coming talent doesn’t appear to have stopped there, despite reports claiming they could be finished for the month.
The 19-year-old centre-back had worked his way up through the ranks at the MCH Arena, and after impressing on loan at Mafra, has attracted plenty of attention.
Sporting CP have reportedly already submitted two bids for the Ivory Coast native, but the Sky Blues have now entered the fold in the hope of hijacking their deal.
The Latest: City chiefs in contact
According to Danish outlet B.T (via CityXtra), Pep Guardiola’s side have ‘joined the battle’ for Diomande, with five other clubs also name-checked with an interest.
Chiefs from the Etihad Stadium have ‘held talks’ with the Superliga outfit ‘several times this week’, though any kind of official offer is yet to have been made.
Sporting, however, are currently in ‘positive negotiations’ and believe that an agreement will be reached before the end of the window.
The Verdict: One for the future?
Diomande is such an exciting player with bags of potential, but given his young age, he would be more of a player for the future.
The prospect has made 16 appearances across all competitions for Mafra this season, scoring one goal and providing one assist during that time (Transfermarkt).
Guardiola already has the likes of Ruben Dias and John Stones as centre-back options so Diomande would either be best placed in the academy or sent out on a development loan until he’s ready to challenge for a place in the first team.
Should Man City sign Diomande?
Yes
No
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