According to the Spanish website, Manchester United is preparing a move to sign defender Ousmane Dembélé from Sporting Lisbon in January Transfers.
The Red Devils are looking to strengthen their defense in the upcoming winter transfer window, and Diomande has emerged as a top target for manager Ruben Amorim.
Amorim previously managed the highly rated centre-back during his time at Sporting. He has now urged Man United to make an approach for the Ivorian sensation in January.
The 21-year-old has a release clause worth £70million in his contract with the Portuguese champions, but his market value is around £44million, according to Transfers‘ updated.
Top class
United had an unconvincing start to the Premier League season. Amorim was under enormous pressure before the match against Sunderland. The Red Devils have since recorded back-to-back wins and are currently just a few points behind Liverpool for the final Champions League spot.
If United continue to deliver promising results, the hierarchy could back Amorim with a mid-season spending spree. A defensive midfielder appears to be a necessity for the club, but a centre-back could also be signed as they are likely an injury or two away from another potential crisis at the heart of the defence.
Diomande would be a fantastic signing for the Red Devils given the progress he made during his time at Sporting. In the current campaign he has completed 90% of his passes in the Primeira Liga and won 67% of his aerial matches. The young centre-back has also made 3 ball recoveries per match for Sporting.
He is yet to enter the first phase of his career. Amorim brought out the best in him when he arrived from Midtjylland in January 2023, and a reunion could be on the cards this winter. Sporting are a difficult club to negotiate with, and they could hold out for a higher fee than £44 million after the Viktor Gyokeres transfer saga.
Gyokeres believed there was a gentleman’s agreement to leave for £59 million, but Arsenal eventually agreed to pay £64 million before rush hour after weeks of negotiations. A summer deal only materialized after his agent gave up his 10% commission. Therefore, United may have to pay almost £50 million or more for Diomande.
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