Leeds United have been heavily linked with a move to sign Sporting Lisbon centre-back Ousmane Diomande on a club-record deal.
The 22-year-old Ivory Coast centre-back has emerged as one of the priority targets for Leeds, who want to make a statement signing in the ongoing transfer window.
Leeds have been in contact with the player and his representatives, and a verbal agreement is in place between the Whites and the player’s camp over a potential deal.
He has a £69m release clause in his contract, but Sporting Lisbon are said to be ready to accept an offer of around £44m. However, a bidding war looms large in the coming weeks.
Chelsea and Bournemouth also want Ousmane Diomande
Leeds are pushing to sign Ousmane Diomande, and have the advantage of being the first mover in the market. However, a deal has not been finalised.
The defender is unlikely to decide on his next club before the end of the World Cup, and more clubs have entered the race to sign the centre-back.
According to Top Mercato, Chelsea, Bournemouth and Italian side Como have also initiated contact with the defender’s camp over a potential deal.
Meanwhile, Como may hold an even stronger hand. Managed by Cesc Fabregas, the Italian club will be competing in the Champions League and could use that opportunity to persuade Diomande that his future lies with them rather than elsewhere.
Leeds have a verbal agreement with the defender and are prepared to smash their transfer record to take the centre-back this summer.
However, with more clubs involved in the race, it has been claimed that Sporting Lisbon now expect a bidding war to ensue for Diomande.
Leeds will hope to have the player’s buy-in to ensure they do not get sucked into a financial arms race for the Ivory Coast star.
A statement signing that Leeds need this summer
Daniel Farke is determined to keep Leeds United moving in the right direction after last season’s progress, and he knows the squad will need further upgrades if they are to establish themselves higher up the Premier League table.
With Pascal Struijk’s future still up in the air, Leeds cannot afford to sit and wait indefinitely. Moving for Ousmane Diomande would not only strengthen a key area of the team but also help bring some certainty to a position that remains unresolved.
The Sporting Lisbon centre-back is widely viewed as one of the brightest defensive talents in Europe, and signing him would represent a major statement of intent. He would add genuine quality to Farke’s defensive options and could also help force a decision on Struijk’s future before the season gets underway.
Just as importantly, landing a player of Diomande’s calibre would underline the club’s ambitions. With several high-profile clubs reportedly interested in him, persuading the defender to choose Elland Road would send a clear message that Leeds are looking to do more than simply survive in the Premier League.
It would be another sign that the 49ers are intent on building a team capable of competing at a much higher level in the years to come.
Will this be yet another failed signing? 🙈