Newcastle United and Crystal Palace interest in Ousmane Diomande
Newcastle United and Crystal Palace interest in Ousmane Diomande
€40-50m can seal the transfer of Sporting Club de Portugal defender Ousmane Diomande this summer, with Crystal Palace and Newcastle United ready to do battle for him.
That’s according to A Bola. The Portuguese newspaper reports that Sporting have promised to listen to any offers that come in this summer.
Diomande only signed a new deal at Sporting in January, extending his stay until 2030. That deal includes an €80m release clause.
Diomande had been resistant to the new deal as his last expired in 2027. That meant he could enter the summer as a tempting piece of business for clubs around Europe.
It promised to be an issue but was ‘circumvented’ through a ‘gentleman’s agreement‘ between the players, his agents and the club’s management.
The trio have agreed that should a concrete offer of €40-50m arrive, Sporting’s directors will analyse it.
Crystal Palace and Newcastle United keen
Ousmane Diomande knows he has Premier League suitors, namely Crystal Palace and Newcastle United.
Sport Witness have covered their respective interests for months. Indeed, a report this week stated Crystal Palace were ready to start a battle with Newcastle.
A Bola say much the same. According to their information, the Eagles were going to spend €55m on the 22-year-old last summer if Marc Guehi departed.
Diomande is a player that they have been ‘thoroughly scouting’ and like. But Newcastle have also been ‘very attentive’ to him.
For now, neither side have moved but will be encouraged by the new gentleman’s agreement in place with Sporting.
That should, in theory at least, ensure easier negotiations if they put the right money on the table.
That is likely to be a question of when, not if. With Diomande set to play in the World Cup, interest in him can only increase. For now, it is Crystal Palace and Newcastle at the door.