- Manchester United prepare summer business
- Ousmane Diomande lands on INEOS wishlist
- Newcastle also keen
Manchester United are reportedly battling it out with Newcastle United to sign Sporting CP defender Ousmane Diomande. The Ivorian is one of Europe’s most highly-admired centre-backs.
The Reds are preparing for a busy summer transfer window in which INEOS are expected to make plenty of changes to the squad. That includes midfield ahead of Casemiro’s departure and the possibility of Manuel Ugarte being sold.
There are also decisions to be made in defence, and the likelihood that a new centre-back will arrive to add more depth ahead of a possible Champions League campaign. Matthijs de Ligt’s injury troubles and Lisandro Martinez’s inconsistent availability might lead to a move for Diomande.
Manchester United Eye Ousmane Diomande
According to French journalist Sebastien Vidal, Manchester United and Newcastle are both keen on Diomande. It’s claimed that both clubs are “going on the offensive” for the 22-year-old who has caught the eye at the Jose Alvalade Stadium.
Diomande has been a key man at the back for Sporting this season, appearing 26 times across competitions. He boasts a right-footed profile, has good pace, is dominant in the air and impressive on the ball.
The Ivorian only signed a new contract extension in January, which included an €80m release clause. But the Liga Portugal giants are thought to be open to negotiating a fee of around €50m.
Diomande’s performance in the Champions League against Arsenal in recent weeks has particularly earned him praise. His side suffered defeat to the Gunners in the quarter-finals, but he performed well against the likes of former teammate Viktor Gyokeres and Bukayo Saka.
Manchester United and Newcastle aren’t alone in their interest in Diomande. Crystal Palace are reportedly also long-term admirers and had viewed him as an ideal Marc Guehi replacement following the Englishman’s move to Manchester City in January.
A Schlotterbeck Alternative?
It had appeared as though Borussia Dortmund’s Nico Schlotterbeck was United’s top defensive target. That was until the German centre-back put pen to paper on a new deal with the Bundesliga heavyweights.
Whether that means the Reds have switched their focus to Diomande remains to be seen. Unlike the Ivorian, Schlotterbeck is a left-footed defender whose versatility allows him to play at left-back as well.
There have been some suggestions that the new contract was put in place to protect the 26-year-old’s value ahead of the summer transfer window. He had a year left on his previous deal which fuelled talk of a summer exit.
