Manchester United are reportedly considering a summer move for Sporting CP defender Ousmane Diomande, a target for Liverpool and Newcastle United.
According to a report by Daily Express, Ousmane Diomande is the subject of interest from Manchester United. Liverpool and Newcastle United are also interested in the Sporting CP centre-back. Meanwhile, the Ivory Coast international has a release clause worth £68 million in his contract with Sporting CP, although a deal as low as £35 million might be possible.
The rise and rise of Ousmane Diomande
Ousmane Diomande has established himself as one of the best young defenders in the world in the last 12 months. A native of Abidjan, the 20-year-old spent most of his formative years in his homeland before arriving in Europe in January 2022. However, his stock has skyrocketed after joining Sporting CP a year later.
The Ivory Coast international has turned out over 50 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 across Europe, including Liverpool, Manchester United and Newcastle United.
A man in demand
Joel Matip is leaving Liverpool as a free agent on July 1. In addition, Virgil van Dijk is on the wrong side of 30. So, it behoves the Merseyside club to invest in a young and promising centre-back in the summer transfer window. And Diomande has emerged as a viable target for Liverpool.
Meanwhile, Newcastle United’s interest in Ousmane Diomande is understandable. The Magpies are scouring the market for a centre-back heading into the summer transfer window, with Sven Botman and Jamaal Lascelles likely on the sidelines until next year. So, Newcastle United can do with at least two new centre-backs, with the Sporting CP defender a target.
Liverpool and Newcastle United now face stiff competition from Manchester United. The Red Devils are dipping their toes in the market for a centre-back this summer ahead of Raphael Varane’s impending departure as a free agent. Diomande is thus an option worth considering for Manchester United, with the Sporting CP defender available for a cut-price fee.
While the Ivory Coast international has a release clause worth £68 million, Sporting CP will be open to offers of around £51 million. However, a deal of £35 million might also be possible. So, it will be interesting to see if Manchester United can beat Liverpool and Newcastle United to Diomande’s signature.
