Manchester United are set to battle Chelsea for the signature of highly-rated Sporting defender Ousmane Diomande. The Ivorian centre-back has impressed in Portugal and is attracting interest from top European clubs.
Manchester United faces competition from Premier League rivals Chelsea in the pursuit of Sporting defender Ousmane Diomande , according to recent reports. TEAMtalk claims Chelsea is the frontrunner to secure the defender's signature. Diomande, who has gained prominence at Ruben Amorim's former club, has attracted interest from numerous European clubs in recent months due to his impressive performances for the Portuguese side.
The 21-year-old Ivorian defender is reported to have a £66 million release clause in his contract. He was a pivotal member of Amorim's starting eleven that clinched the Primeira Liga title last season, forming a formidable defensive partnership with Goncalo Inacio. The duo conceded just 29 league goals throughout the campaign. Diomande has been linked with a potential reunion with Amorim at Old Trafford. However, the report states that Chelsea is highly interested in Diomande as a top target during the summer transfer window. Head coach Enzo Maresca is eager to acquire a left-sided centre-half, and Diomande fits the profile. Additionally, Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi is also on Chelsea's radar as a more affordable alternative, particularly with his contract nearing its final stages. It is claimed that Chelsea's transfer committee, comprising Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley, is confident in negotiating a fee lower than Diomande's release clause.Arsenal and Bayern Munich have also been credited with an interest in the rising star, who already possesses significant experience at an elite level. Diomande's agent, Luis Cassaiano Neves, addressed the interest in his client back in September 2023, stating to A Bola: 'He is extremely satisfied at Sporting, he is very focused on the club and the objectives for this season, which include winning the national title and improving. 'And he knows that Sporting is the ideal club for this evolution. The player will be happy to sit at the table with Sporting, but so far there is nothing. Sporting is Diomande's present and future, he wants to evolve but there is nothing regarding a renewal.' Diomande is currently under contract until the summer of 2027. While it remains uncertain if Manchester United will make a move for the defender in the upcoming summer window, Amorim's presence as manager could provide a significant advantage in any transfer negotiations. Amorim has been linked with several former players since taking charge at Old Trafford, with Sporting striker Viktor Gyokeres considered a potential solution to Manchester United's goal-scoring woes. Despite ruling out any transfers involving players from his former club in January, as proved to be the case, Amorim did not exclude the possibility of pursuing transfers in the summer.
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