Leeds United are reportedly willing to break their transfer record during this summer transfer window, three-and-a-half years since they signed Georginio Rutter
Matthew Abbott
16:15, 10 Jun 2026
Daniel Farke applauds the Leeds United fans
View 2 Images
Leeds United could be looking to bolster Daniel Farke's backline this summer(Image: Anna Gowthorpe/Shutterstock)
Leeds United reportedly want to break their transfer record this summer to sign Ousmane Diomande from Sporting.
The Whites are among several Premier League clubs credited with an interest in the Ivory Coast international after previous links to Arsenal, Chelsea, Crystal Palace, Manchester United and Newcastle United. Diomande, 22, has a £69million (€80m) release clause and signed a four-and-a-half-year contract extension during January.
However, any offer worth £43million (€50m) is said to be enough for the Lisbon-based club to negotiate a potential deal. Sporting paid £11million (€12.5m) to sign the then-teenage central defender from Danish club Midtjylland three-and-a-half years ago.
FOLLOW OUR LUFC FACEBOOK PAGE! Latest news, analysis and more on our Leeds United FB page
Ivorian outlet 225foot were the first to report the claims, with TEAMtalk then adding to them, and Portuguese publication A BOLA now confirming Leeds' interest. The Whites are reportedly willing to offer more than ever before for a player, up to £35million, with another £8million in add-ons.
That would exceed the around £36million fee paid to Hoffenheim for Georginio Rutter three-and-a-half years ago. Leeds signed Jaka Bijol and Sebastiaan Bornauw following their promotion to the Premier League, but the latter played just 14 times last season.
Bijol also did not begin the campaign as a starter. However, that soon changed.
He became the main beneficiary of Daniel Farke moving to a three-central-defender system from late November onwards. The Slovenia international joined Joe Rodon and Pascal Struijk in defence, but one of that trio would seemingly have to make way for Diomande.
Ousmane Diomande of Sporting CP during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Quarter-Final Second Leg match between Arsenal FC and Sporting Clube de Portugal at Arsenal Stadium on April 15, 2026 in London, England.
View 2 Images
Leeds United are the latest Premier League club to be credited with an interest in Ousmane Diomande(Image: Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
Struijk is notably entering the final year of his contract, and the vice-captain could leave on a free transfer next summer if no new deal materialises before then. That also opens up the possibility of him signing a pre-contract agreement with an overseas club from the start of next year.
Ethan Ampadu spoke about Struijk's influence after signing his own new contract last week.
"He's been massive," the Leeds captain said when asked how much of a support he has been. If you want to talk about how the players are, I think the whole squad in general - it's not just the captain, vice-captain.
Article continues below
I think Pascal can also give testament to every other player here. It's a squad that's full of leaders.
Ampadu added: "I hope that everyone can be here. I think we've achieved something great this season, and I believe that everyone wants to go and achieve greater things. So I think obviously it'd be very sad to see anyone going, obviously Pascal included."
Upgrade your World Cup TV setup with the Sky Glass 'designed for football'
This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
Content Image
from £4.50
Sky
Get the deal here
Sky is knocking 20% off its entire range of Glass TVs to mark the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Until June 17, shoppers can upgrade to the Sky smart TV that's 'designed for football' from £4.50 per month when taken alongside a Sky TV and Netflix package.