Ousmane Diomande. (REUTERS/Pedro Nunes)
Crystal Palace have entered talks with Sporting Lisbon over a move for centre-back Ousmane Diomande according to BBC Sport. The FA Cup winners are bracing themselves for the potential departure of skipper Marc Guehi who has just 12 months remaining on his contract.
Guehi is the subject of interest of several Premier League clubs with Arsenal, Liverpool, Newcastle, and former club Chelsea all known admirers. Palace have now taken action to secure a replacement, identifying the 21 year old Diomande as their top target.
The Ivory Coast international is valued at around £40 million, a fee that would shatter the club’s current transfer record of £32 million for Christian Benteke in 2016. The defender has attracted interest from across Europe for his aggressive style of play.
He has drawn comparisons with Liverpool’s Ibrahima Konate for his physical strength and size. He was a stalwart in the Sporting side that was crowned back-to-back Liga Portugal champions, starting and playing 31 out of 34 league games last season.
Palace chasing Diamonde
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano confirmed the news on his X account, reporting that the player is open to a move the Premier League.
“Crystal Palace are in talks with Sporting CP for Ousmane Diomandé as new centre back,” Romano said. “Negotiations underway with player open to Premier League move. Oliver Glasner has also approved Diomandé as target.”
Any move for the player could prompt a bit of a transfer merry go round, with Liverpool said to be one of the interested parties in Palace skipper Marc Guehi. Liverpool are nearing a deal to send Jarell Quansah to Leverkusen which could then accelerate their interest in Guehi.
Palace will be keen to secure the signing of Diamonde before Guehi is allowed to leave. Palace will face competition for the player though, as Diamonde has caught the eye of several clubs in the Premier League and abroad.
Manchester United are tipped to enter the race for the player who served under Ruben Amorim at Sporting. At the moment there is no confirmation of an agreement between Palace and Sporting.
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