Aston Villa will compete with Arsenal, Liverpool, and Chelsea to sign 21-year-old Ivorian defender Ousmane Diomande from Portuguese club Sporting CP this summer.
According to a report by Football Insider, Ousmane Diomande is the subject of interest from Aston Villa. The Villans are scouring the market for a centre-back heading into the summer transfer window and have set their sights on the Sporting CP defender. Meanwhile, the Portuguese giants will demand around £50 million to part ways with the youngster, with Arsenal, Chelsea, and Liverpool also keen on signing him.
Ousmane Diomande and his skyrocketing stock
Ousmane Diomande has established himself as one of the best young defensive prospects in the world since joining Sporting CP from Midtjylland in January 2023. While the African centre-back was already among the most promising young prodigies when he arrived at the Portuguese club, his stock has soared in the last two years.
The 21-year-old has also enjoyed success in international football, winning the Africa Cup of Nations last year. In addition, Diomande has become a mainstay at the back for Sporting CP, amassing nearly 100 appearances while chipping in with six goals and two assists. Meanwhile, the youngster’s progress has not gone unnoticed, alerting Premier League bigwigs like Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, and Aston Villa.
A man in demand
The Ivory Coast international has been on Arsenal’s radar for a long time. However, it is unclear why the Gunners are keen on signing the highly-rated centre-back, considering Mikel Arteta has a stacked central defensive unit. Nevertheless, Diomande is a target for Arsenal. As for Chelsea, Axel Disasi, Benoit Badiashile, and Trevoh Chalobah face an uncertain future at Stamford Bridge.
So, Chelsea will dip into the market for a top-class centre-back, and Ousmane Diomande is a viable option to become Levi Colwill’s long-term central defensive partner. Meanwhile, Liverpool’s interest in the Ivorian defender is understandable, considering Virgil van Dijk has entered the final few months of his contract.
Even if the Dutch defender signs a new contract with Liverpool, the Merseyside club must sign a long-term successor. So, Diomande is an option worth considering. Finally, Aston Villa might not seal a permanent move for Axel Disasi. In addition, Tyrone Mings is on the wrong side of 30. So, the Villans need a new centre-back, with the Ivory Coast international being a viable target.
Meanwhile, Diomande will not cost a bomb, but Sporting CP will still demand a sizeable fee worth £50 million to part ways with him in the summer transfer window. It will be interesting to see if the 21-year-old Ivorian defender joins Aston Villa instead of the other Premier League bigwigs in the coming months.
