Crystal Palace in talks over signing Ousmane Diomande

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Crystal Palace are looking to build on last season's success

The FA Cup holders are in negotiations with Sporting Lisbon over a potential deal for centre-back Ousmane Diomande.

Author | Peter Grainger

News | Ousmane Diomande playing for Sporting

They are aiming to strengthen their defence this summer due to ongoing uncertainty over the future of captain Marc Guehi, who has just 12 months remaining on his contract.

Diomande, 21, is a key target for Palace, although it is not yet clear whether the two clubs will be able to reach an agreement. The Ivory Coast international is valued at around £40 million, a figure that would break Palace’s current transfer record of £32 million paid for Christian Benteke in 2016.

READ MORE | Transfer News and Rumours

With Guehi's future unresolved, bringing in a new central defender has become a priority. Palace are considering selling the England international in this window rather than risk losing him for free next summer.

What are Crystal Palace reportedly signing?

After joining Danish side Midtjylland’s academy in 2020 and spending a season on loan with Mafra, Diomande earned a mid‑season move to Sporting in January 2023 for an initial €7.5 million.

His performances helped his side earn back‑to‑back Primeira Liga titles in 2023–24 and 2024–25, a Portugal Cup victory in 2024–25 and selection in the league’s Team of the Year for both seasons.

READ MORE | Crystal Palace win FA Cup

Internationally, he made his debut in September 2023 and was part of Ivory Coast’s winning squad in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. This player has huge potential and would represent something of a coup for the Selhurst Park club.

Latest Palace fan reaction

One fan told us: "This would be a fantastic signing for us. Get this over the line and supporters will start to get very excited about the new season."

Gary added: "We need to start better than we did last season and players like Diomande (should we sign him) can only help with that. Roll on August and roll on the Europa League."

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