Manchester United are exploring a move for Sporting defender Ousmane Diomande (Picture: Getty)
Sporting star Ousmane Diomande has spoken with Ruben Amorim about joining Manchester United and is growing increasingly keen on a move to Old Trafford.
Having joined Sporting from Danish outfit Midtjylland in January 2023, Diomande has quickly earned a reputation as one of the most promising young defenders in Portuguese football.
Diomande made 26 appearances across an eye-catching debut season in the Primeira Liga, playing a key role as Sporting – led by United’s new head coach Amorim – stormed to an historic 20th league title last term.
And while Diomande’s Sporting career is still in its infancy, speculation is mounting that the centre-back could be set for a big-money switch away from the Jose Alvalade Stadium before too long.
According to Sky, Diomande is ‘sure to be one of the attractions of the next two transfer windows, with Manchester City, Manchester United and Arsenal all battling it out for the Ivory Coast international.
Diamonde has been firmly on City’s radar since his Midtjylland days and the Premier League champions are targeting the Sporting sensation as a ‘priority’.
City’s incoming director of football Hugo Viana – who will succeed Txiki Begiristain at the end of the season – has already prepared a plan of action to convince Sporting’s president, Frederico Varandas, to part with Diamonde.
Diomande recognises it would be ‘beneficial’ to his development to remain with Amorim (Picture: Getty)
However, the report states that United are determined not to fall behind their bitter rivals in the transfer race and Amorim has already spoken with Diamonde over the prospect of following him to the Theatre of Dreams.
It’s claimed Diamonde ‘knows it would be beneficial for his development’ to continue with Amorim and he is therefore ‘leaning towards’ United, though City are refusing to give up hope in their pursuit of the centre-half.
Diomande currently has an €80million (£66m) release clause in his deal with Sporting, though the Primeira Liga outfit recognise it may be unrealistic to expect an offer close to that figure.
Former Sporting boss Amorim will manage United for the first time against Ipswich this weekend (Picture: Getty)
The towering Ivorian, who stands at 6 ft 3 in, is tied into a contract with Sporting until 2027.
Diomande’s agent has been keen to keep his client’s feet on the ground and last year highlighted how Sporting was the ‘ideal club’ for his development in the game.
‘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,’ Luis Cassaiano Neves told Portuguese outlet A Bola.
‘He knows that Sporting is the ideal club for this evolution.
‘Sporting is Diomande’s present and future and it is where he wants to evolve.’
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