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Leeds United, Liverpool and the rest of Europe’s clubs are widely expected to park the bulk of their serious transfer spending until after this summer’s World Cup, but that does not mean the groundwork is not already being laid behind the scenes.
For Liverpool, centre-back planning is still on the agenda and long-term options being assessed, the scouting department continues to monitor emerging defensive talents across the continent.
While the club bought in Jeremy Jacquet, there is still a feeling that the position could be reinforced, with Virgil van Dijk soon to be 35 and Joe Gomez’s injury record leaving a lot to be desired.
One of those names, Sporting CP’s highly rated Ousmane Diomande, has repeatedly appeared on the Reds’ radar over the past couple of windows. DaveOCKOP.com exclusively revealed in February that the club still had the Ivorian in there sights.
Now, however, it is Leeds United who appear ready to make the boldest move for Diomande.
According to reports relayed by Sport Witness from Portugal, Leeds are prepared to table the biggest offer in their history to land the Sporting defender this summer. The proposed package is said to reach around the €50m mark with bonuses included.
Their current transfer record is Georginio Rutter, who joined in January 2023 for a fee in excess of €40m.
Sporting are understood to be seeking a fee in that region, with Leeds’ hierarchy – backed by 49ers Enterprises – ready to test their resolve with an initial payment in the €40m range plus significant add‑ons.
For a club that only recently returned to the Premier League, such an outlay on a former Liverpool target would be a huge statement of intent.
It remains to be seen whether the Portuguese side will agree to a €50m offer, particularly given that Diomande’s contract includes an €80m release clause.
The centre-back was also an unused substitute in his country’s 1-0 World Cup victory over Ecuador, having been sidelined by injury.