Leeds United have been heavily linked with a move for Sporting Lisbon centre-back Ousmane Diomande for a club-record fee this summer.
With Pascal Struijk now likely to leave the club in the upcoming transfer window, Leeds are seeking to bring in a centre-back who is ready to get straight into the team.
Leeds admire Wolves centre-back Ladislav Krejci, who is leading the Czech Republic side in the World Cup and scored in the defeat against South Korea.
However, the links to Diomande have refused to die down, and a fresh report has claimed that the Whites are pushing ahead with their interest in the Sporting Lisbon centre-back.
Leeds United have the money to sign Ousmane Diomande
Diomande has emerged as an ambitious target for Leeds as several big European clubs have their eyes on the 22-year-old centre-back this summer.
Leeds have already carried out heavy legwork to set up a deal and have reached a verbal agreement over a potential move with the defender and his camp.
Diomande is said to be open to a move to Elland Road, and the club are putting together the funds to sign the centre-back this summer.
According to Football Insider, Leeds have the money to pursue Diomande and complete a club record deal to sign the Ivory Coast star in the ongoing window.
Any deal for the centre-back is going to cost more than the £36m Leeds paid for Georginio Rutter in January 2023.
Diomande has a hefty £69m release clause, but Sporting Lisbon are expected to accept offers of just north of the £40m mark this summer.
Leeds have been mightily impressed by the centre-back’s performances in Portugal, and he is at the top of their shortlist of targets.
And the Whites are prepared to commit a sizable portion of their resources to try to take him to Elland Road in the upcoming transfer window.
He will be a statement signing
Daniel Farke wants Leeds United to keep building on the progress they made last season, and he knows the squad will need more quality if the club are to continue climbing the Premier League table.
With Pascal Struijk’s future still unresolved, Leeds may be better off taking a proactive approach rather than waiting for a decision. A move for Ousmane Diomande would not only strengthen a crucial area of the team but also provide some much-needed clarity at centre-back.
The Sporting Lisbon defender is regarded as one of Europe’s most exciting young defenders, and bringing him to Elland Road would be a major coup. His arrival would immediately improve Farke’s options and could ultimately force a resolution to the uncertainty surrounding Struijk.
Beyond the footballing benefits, signing Diomande would make a real statement. He is attracting interest from several top clubs, so convincing him to join Leeds would show that the club’s ambitions extend well beyond simply staying in the Premier League. It would be a clear sign that the 49ers are serious about building a side capable of competing at a higher level in the years ahead.
