On Saturday, we covered the latest from Portugal on [Crystal Palace’s pursuit of Ousmane Diomande](https://sportwitness.co.uk/ousmane-diomande-whats-happening-on-e40-60m-transfer-to-crystal-palace/), explaining links with Real Madrid appeared to be the figment of someone’s imagination and there hadn’t been any serious stories on Los Blancos interest in Spain.
Of course, the Real Madrid claims, which started in the English media, were picked up in Portugal, and used as further justification for Sporting CP to ask for a huge transfer fee. Newcastle United have also been dragged into the picture, and whilst the Magpies have had interest for a while there’s nothing real to suggest they’ll provide competition right now.
Arsenal and Chelsea links belong in the same category as Newcastle.
Towards the end of last week it was reported Crystal Palace had prepared an offer worth €40m. This hadn’t been submitted formally, that’s not how it tends to work in Portugal. Clubs there like to agree verbally before an official offer is made, making a formal one without that is seen as a hostile move.
Regardless, the €40m isn’t enough.
[Record](http://record.pt) report that Crystal Palace put in some scouting work to identify Diomande last season, and it’s on the back of scouting reports that a move was made. Contact is in place, but everything feels a little frozen right now. There’s no formal offer and no advance from what was happening at the end of last week.
Sporting want €60m, state Record, and are in no hurry to sell. The slant today is they’d be quite happy for the 21-year-old to stay, and only €60m could change that.
Clearly, that’s a negotiating stance but something close to that figure, perhaps including bonuses, looks necessary.