At the beginning of this week there was some confidence in Portugal that Ousmane Diomande was on the verge of a move to Crystal Palace for around €55m. Multiple sources reported the defender edging closer to the Eagles, and it was thought a deal was there to do.
Then the Portuguese brakes were put on and it was reported the whole thing was on hold. Although this wasn’t made clear in Portugal, the pause came at around the same time Marc Guéhi’s exit from Crystal Palace was also slowing down and that could be the reasoning behind it all.
Crystal Palace aren’t going to be spending such huge amounts on Diomande if they don’t sell Guéhi.
Anyway, Saturday’s edition of O Jogo reports Ousmane Diomande is back in preseason training. Crystal Palace interest is mentioned but it’s now stated Sporting are holding out for €60m.
Over at Record they report the 21-year-old has shaken off a small injury worry, is training normally and will be available for the first preseason match.
Record go on to say that Crystal Palace made efforts but those efforts didn’t progress, which fits in with things pausing as the Guéhi exit also did.