Nottingham Forest are in advanced talks to sign Sporting CP centre-back Ousmane Diomande, with reports suggesting a deal worth around £34-35 million could be finalised within days.
A Deal Taking Shape
According to Fabrizio Romano, Forest are working hard behind the scenes to get an agreement over the line, with negotiations progressing between the two clubs and directly with the player’s camp. Other reports suggest Forest chairman Evangelos Marinakis has already agreed a £35 million package with Sporting, a fee widely viewed as excellent value given Diomande’s profile and the current state of the transfer market.
Crucially, that figure comes in well below the defender’s reported €80 million release clause, suggesting Sporting were prepared to do business at a significantly reduced price given the circumstances.
Glasner’s First Signing
This would mark new manager Oliver Glasner’s first signing since replacing Vítor Pereira at the City Ground, and it fits perfectly into his tactical plans. Forest are expected to operate with a back three during the upcoming season, and Diomande is viewed as the ideal option to slot into the right-sided centre-back role within that system, the exact setup Glasner favoured during his time at Crystal Palace.
A Rising Star With Serious Pedigree
At 22, Diomande has already established himself as one of Sporting’s most important defenders since joining from Danish club Midtjylland back in 2023. He’s made 132 appearances during his time in Lisbon, helping the club win two Primeira Liga titles and the Taça de Portugal along the way. He’s also a full Ivory Coast international with 16 caps, and was part of the squad that won the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations on home soil.
Sporting head coach Rui Borges has previously praised Diomande as “superb,” and it’s easy to see why interest has been building. Crystal Palace were reportedly willing to pay as much as €55 million for him last summer, while Liverpool have also been credited with long-standing interest, a link Forest’s advanced talks now appear to have put firmly to bed.
Why He Could Settle Quickly
One factor working in Forest’s favour is the presence of a growing Ivorian contingent already at the club, most notably midfielder Ibrahim Sangaré, who is also a World Cup teammate of Diomande’s. Forest believe that familiar environment could help ease his transition into English football and life in the Premier League more broadly.
A Player With Real Upside, But Some Rough Edges
Sporting insiders have described Diomande’s physicality as his standout attribute, with his imposing size complemented by an underrated level of comfort on the ball. There are still question marks, though, particularly around his temperament and composure in high-pressure moments, something that will be worth watching as he adapts to the intensity of Premier League football. Even so, most observers believe his profile, physical, athletic, and technically capable, fits exactly what modern top-flight teams are looking for in a centre-back, with some suggesting he could eventually be good enough to play for a club like Liverpool or Arsenal further down the line.
What Happens Next?
With talks described as advanced and only financial details left to fully resolve, Forest are hopeful of completing the signing before the end of their pre-season training camp in Portugal, which begins with a fixture against Blackburn. Diomande would slot into a defensive unit already featuring Murillo and Nikola Milenković, two players who formed one of the most solid partnerships in the Premier League last season.
Forest fans, would Diomande be the ideal addition to strengthen your new back-three setup under Glasner? Let us know your thoughts below.
