Newcastle United have reportedly dispatched a team of scouts to watch Sporting CP defender Ousmane Diomande at the Africa Cup of Nations.
According to a report by A Bola, as relayed by Sport Witness, Ousmane Diomande is the subject of interest from Newcastle United. The Magpies are in the market for a centre-back ahead of the summer transfer window. And they have sent scouts to watch the Sporting CP defender at the Africa Cup of Nations.
The Rise and Rise of Ousmane Diomande
Ousmane Diomande has been one of the best young prospects plying his trade in Europe in the last 12 months. The Ivory Coast international spent most of his formative years in his homeland before joining Midtjylland in 2020. His star subsequently soared, and many high-profile clubs set their sights on him.
Sporting CP beat the competition to sign the 20-year-old defensive sensation in January 2023. Since then, he has come leaps and bounds, becoming a mainstay at the back for the Portuguese club while breaking into his national team. Diomande has enjoyed an excellent 2023/24 season thus far, turning out 21 times while chipping in with two goals and one assist.
The youngster’s progress has not gone unnoticed, capturing the attention of several high-profile clubs, particularly from the Premier League. Some of these clubs have sent scouts to watch him in action for the Ivory Coast during the Africa Cup of Nations. One of them will be Newcastle United. His release clause of €80 million does not deter the interested parties either.
Newcastle United Calling?
Newcastle United’s interest in Ousmane Diomande is hardly surprising. Fabian Schar is on the wrong side of 30, while Jamaal Lascelles will unlikely be in Eddie Howe’s long-term plans and is best used as a backup option. So, it behoves Newcastle United to invest in a young centre-back to be Sven Botman’s partner.
Diomande has thus emerged as a viable target for Newcastle United. And the Magpies have dispatched scouts to watch the 20-year-old in action at the Africa Cup of Nations. Meanwhile, the release clause of €80 million should not bother Newcastle United.
But the Tyneside club will have to get on the right side of the Premier League’s Sustainability Rules to secure his services. It will be interesting to see how the race to sign Ousmane Diomande progresses, with several clubs keen on signing him.
