Sporting CP will be open to parting ways with Ousmane Diomande for around €50-60 million instead of €80 million, the value of his release clause.
According to a report by Portuguese outlet A Bola, Arsenal, Chelsea, and Newcastle United are keen on signing Ousmane Diomande. The Magpies are best positioned to sign the Ivory Coast international in the summer transfer window. Meanwhile, Sporting CP will be open to selling the youngster for €50-60 million instead of demanding his release clause of €80 million.
Ousmane Diomande: One of the best young CBs in the world
Ousmane Diomande has established himself as one of the best young defenders in the world in the last 12 months. The 20-year-old has been with Sporting CP since January 2023, having initially risen in prominence during his spell with Midtjylland. And the youngster has come leaps and bounds in the last 15 months.
The Ivory Coast international has also established a foothold in his national team and won the Africa Cup of Nations earlier this year. He has turned out 52 times thus far for Sporting CP, chipping in with four goals and one assist. Meanwhile, Diomande’s progress has not gone unnoticed, capturing the attention of several high-profile clubs, including Arsenal, Chelsea and Newcastle United.
A man in demand
Among his suitors, Arsenal’s interest in Diomande is the most perplexing. The Gunners have two top-class centre-backs who have forged a solid central defensive partnership at the Emirates. While Arsenal can do with a backup central defender, Diomande might not be happy playing that role.
As for Chelsea, they will lose Thiago Silva as a free agent in the coming months, with the veteran Brazilian defender announcing his impending departure. So, it behoves the West London club to scour the market for a centre-back, with Ousmane Diomande emerging as a viable target.
However, Arsenal and Chelsea are behind Newcastle United in the race to sign Diomande. The report has claimed that the Magpies are the best-placed club to land the 20-year-old. The latest update has suggested that his suitors can land him for €50-60 million instead of the value of his release clause of €80 million.
€50-60 million is fair value for one of the best young defenders in the world, although €80 million might have also been an acceptable sum. But it will be interesting to see if Newcastle United can beat Arsenal and Chelsea to Diomande’s signature.
