Leeds eye swift deal for £35m Champions League defender as move gathers pace

Leeds United still have several important decisions to make over the coming weeks, but there seems to be a clear sign of intent about the quality of targets the club are looking at.

There is plenty of excitement among supporters ahead of the summer transfer window after the Whites comfortably secured their Premier League status and finished 14th in their first season back in the top flight.

Attention has now turned to strengthening the squad, with Leeds targeting players who can genuinely improve the team and make a difference on the pitch. Daniel Farke is keen to freshen up his options ahead of the 2026/27 campaign and continue building on the progress made over the last year.

Farke’s call for ambition could be answered as Leeds have been linked with an interest in Sporting Lisbon centre-back Ousmane Diomande, who is wanted by several clubs.

Leeds eye a quick deal for Ousmane Diomande

Ousmane Diomande has been heavily linked with a move away from Sporting Lisbon in the upcoming summer transfer window.

Sources in Portugal have suggested that Premier League bigwigs such as Arsenal and Chelsea have their eyes on the 22-year-old centre-back.

However, according to  225 Foot, Leeds United are in the race to sign the centre-back in the summer window.

With Pascal Struijk’s future on the line, Leeds want to make a real statement and secure a deal to sign a top centre-back before the new season.

It has been claimed that Leeds are making a move to sign the Sporting Lisbon centre-back in the upcoming transfer window.

The Whites are big admirers of Diomande, and are aware that they need to make a swift move, given the interest the Ivory Coast international has garnered.

Leeds are eyeing a quick deal to secure his signature and take him to Elland Road this summer.

Sporting Lisbon are keen to spark an auction for his services, but it has been suggested that an offer in the region of £35m should do the trick.

He will be a statement signing

Daniel Farke is desperate to take the squad to the next level, and Leeds want to bring in upgrades on the current options they have in the team.

The Leeds boss cannot wait for Pascal Struijk to decide his future for too long, and a move for Ousmane Diomande will be a clear sign of intent from the club.

It will show that they can sign an upgrade on the Dutchman, and could hasten his departure from the club in the upcoming transfer window.

His signing would also be a major display of ambition, given the level of the clubs that are interested in the Sporting Lisbon centre-back this summer.