Sporting Lisbon are set to complete a key bit of business with huge ramifications for Manchester United and Arsenal's pursuit of Viktor Gyokeres
17:13, 01 Jul 2025
Viktor Gyokeres has attracted interest from the Premier League's three biggest clubs
Viktor Gyokeres has attracted interest from the Premier League's three biggest clubs
Sporting Lisbon are on the brink of sealing a £47m deal with Crystal Palace for defender Ousmane Diomande, easing the pressure to offload their sought-after striker Viktor Gyokeres at a bargain price.
Arsenal and Manchester United have been leading the chase for Swedish sensation Gyokeres, after Premier League champions Liverpool cooled their interest in the 27-year-old hotshot, but Sporting have stood firm on their £85m valuation of their top goal scorer.
The Gunners, who also have their sights set on RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko, reportedly had a £60m offer knocked back by Sporting last month. The club's president Federico Varandas publicly criticised Gyokeres' agent for attempting to push through a transfer.
"Threats, blackmail and insults don't work with me," Varandas declared. Gyokeres signed with Sporting two years ago and is under contract until summer 2028.
However, Portuguese reports suggest Sporting have agreed to a significantly lower offer than Diomande's £68m clause from Palace, who are likely to include a substantial sell-on clause in the deal, reports the Mirror.
LISBON, PORTUGAL - MAY 17: Ousmane Diomande of Sporting looks to pass the ball during the Liga Portugal Betclic match between Sporting Clube de Portugal and Vitoria SC at Estádio José Alvalade on May 17, 2025 in Lisbon, Portugal. (Photo by Pedro Loureiro/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)
Ousmane Diomande is a target for Crystal Palace(Image: undefined via Getty Images)
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Diomande, currently earning around £429,000 annually at Sporting, is set for a sizeable wage boost in south London.
Meanwhile, Diomande's move to Selhurst Park could open the door for Palace skipper and England ace Marc Guehi to depart.
Liverpool are optimistic about securing a deal for Guehi, who is entering the final year of his contract and isn't expected to renew.
This leaves FA Cup victors Palace with a decision to either sell him this summer and get some dosh or let him walk for free next summer.
Palace had previously declined to offload Guehi, who celebrates his 25th birthday this month, to Newcastle United last month.
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Liverpool have already splashed out more than £200m this summer including £116m for Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen and Milos Kerkez from Bournemouth for £40m - with several departures covering most of their initial spend and they're not sweating over profit and sustainability rules.