Newcastle United transfer target Ousmane Diomande has previously received some high praise indeed from Ruben Amorim.
The current Manchester United manager coached the Newcastle United transfer target at Sporting CP between 2023 and 2024, with the Portuguese club signing him from Danish side FC Midtjylland.
Fans want Newcastle to sign Diomande this summer as Eddie Howe looks to bolster his defensive options.
Indeed, Newcastle want to sign a new centre-back after missing out on Marc Guehi last year. Geordie Boot Boys sources understands that Guehi remains a target, though Newcastle are also interested in Diomande.
With that in mind, it’s certainly worth seeing what Amorim has previously said about the Ivorian international.
Sporting Lisbon ace Ousmane Diomande
Photo by Gualter Fatia/Getty Images
What Ruben Amorim said about Ousmane Diomande
In 2023, The Daily Mail quoted Amorim from his days as Sporting manager.
The Red Devils boss was effusive in his praise of the defender, having worked with him so closely while in the Portuguese capital.
“Diomande plays with both feet, and is very physically strong,” he said.
MORE NEWCASTLE STORIES
“He is a very talented player and most people don’t know how many clubs were after him. The truth is that we managed to get him because we took a risk by telling the kids that they’re coming to play for the first team, he’s got a lot of scope for progression.”
Newcastle United labelled ‘greedy’ for wanting to sign Ousmane Diomande
Newcastle’s interest in Diomande has been labelled as “greed” by the Portuguese media, with O Jogo suggesting the player has a release clause of around £67.9million in his contract.
Still, whatever those in Portugal may think, Diomande looks to be a signing who fits in with the transfer strategy deployed under PIF.
Some of their major successes in the market come from abroad, with the likes of Bruno Guimaraes, Sven Botman, Alexander Isak and Sandro Tonali all proving to be key players. Though Premier League experience would naturally be a positive thing, it’s clearly not an absolute requirement.
Liga Portugal statistics Ousmane Diomande
Clearances/90 2.7
Interceptions/90 1
Tackles/90 1.2
Aerial dules won/90 2.5
Ousmane Diomande statistics in Liga Portugal, data via WhoScored
At only 21, he still has so much of his career left ahead of him and has already played at a high level.
Needing depth in central defence, he would appear to be a logical addition for the club this summer.