Crystal Palace are eyeing a stunning move to sign Sporting CP defender Ousmane Diomande, according to Telegraph journalist Mike McGrath.
The Eagles are looking to further bolster their squad this summer after a successful 2024/25 campaign in which they claimed their first ever major trophy when they defeated Man City in the FA Cup final, earning them a place in the 2025/26 Europa League.
Now Oliver Glasner wants to strengthen his defence, and Sporting defender Diomande has now been identified as a top target at Selhurst Park.
Crystal Palace Want to Sign Diomande
Sporting value him at £45m
ousmane-diomande-sporting
Current club captain Marc Guehi is entering the final year of his contract with the south London club, and is highly expected to move on amid interest from Newcastle United, Tottenham, Liverpool and Chelsea.
That has seen Palace begin exploring potential replacements for the England star, and Diomande is someone the club have kept track of over recent seasons. The Ivory Coast international is regarded as 'one of the most highly-rated centre-backs in Europe', and has also attracted attention from the likes of Manchester United.
The 21-year-old still has two years left on his contract in Lisbon, and after Sporting agreed a big-money move for Geovany Quenda to leave for Chelsea the expectation is that they will demand at least £45m for Diomande.
Sporting use a 3-4-3 system in Portugal, made famous by now Man Utd boss Ruben Amorim, and Glasner uses a very similar system at Palace which would undoubtedly help him to settle into the Premier League quickly.
Palace have explored an ambitious deal for Diomande, but no club-to-club contact or talks with the player have been reported and it remains to be seen if they can get this huge coup over the line.
Ousmane Diomande Stats 2024/25
Games
MInutes
Goals
Tackles p/g
Blocks p/g
Clearances p/g
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All statistics courtesy of WhoScored - correct as of 06/06/2025.
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