Manchester United getting stuck on the deal for Bryan Mbeumo is having a cascading effect on the transfer window, as they’ve been dealt a double blow.
The links to Sporting players began as soon as Ruben Amorim became the Man Utd manager, with Viktor Gyokeres headlining the list.
There was also Ousmane Diomande, Pedro Goncalves, Morten Hjulmand, and Goncalo Inacio, to name a few, as it was looked at as a foregone conclusion that United would sign at least one from Portugal.
As the days tick by and United are locked in Mbeumo negotiations, that foregone conclusion is looking more like a remote possibility, with another Sporting star off the market.
Francisco Trincao of Sporting CP celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal during the Liga Portugal Betclic match between Sporting CP and CD Nacional at Estadio Jose Alvalade on January 25, 2025
Photo by Gualter Fatia/Getty Images
Ousmane Diomande close to Premier League switch
Defenders rarely get the headlines, but Ousmane Diomande is arguably as big a success story for Sporting and Ruben Amorim as anyone else.
Diomande has been linked to Man Utd before, and numerous times too, a rumour that went into overdrive recently when it was reported that Diomande wanted to work with Amorim again.
However, United are well-stocked in defensive ranks, so his signing was never going to be a priority despite his world-class potential.
Portuguese outlet Abola report that Crystal Palace have taken advantage of the lack of movement surrounding the player.
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Diomande is close to joining Crystal Palace for about £47m, far below his release clause, which will undoubtedly infuriate a certain Swedish striker at the club.
The timing of this deal hurts United because they couldn’t go through with the move despite appreciating the player.
However, the blows for United with this transfer don’t end here.
Diomande signing blow for Man Utd’s Viktor Gyokeres chase
At this point, Gyokeres is probably thinking of himself as the unluckiest player at Sporting after burning all bridges with the club.
If he thought that the Sporting president was bluffing before about not accepting a set fee for him, he certainly won’t be now.
With Diomande’s transfer and a windfall of £47m, the need to give a discount on the striker’s sale from Sporting’s perspective has decreased further.
While it’s a blow for Gyokeres as he clearly wants a move, it also effectively rules out United altogether from the race.
United would have been relying on other clubs not moving for him till late in the window, which could have softened Sporting’s stance since the player is not being cooperative.
Now, however, Sporting can dig their heels in further and demand a king’s ransom for Gyokeres because their finances have been taken care of by Palace.
A lack of professionalism remains the only reason for Sporting to sell now, and that’s not a discount big enough to invite United to the table considering their financial situation.
Who could have predicted that United’s chase of Gyokeres would be dealt a hammer blow by a Premier League team, but it won’t be Arsenal, who he wants to join?