Crystal Palace ramping up interest in Sporting CP defender Ousmane Diomande | OneFootball

Crystal Palace are ramping up their interest in Sporting CP centre-back Ousmane Diomande.

According to A Bola, Palace are exploring an ambitious deal for the highly rated 21-year-old as they look to build on their FA Cup win last season.

Diomande has been a shrewd acquisition for Sporting since he joined from FC Midtjylland in January 2023. He has been a consistent performer, and Palace have made enquiries about him.

Talks are still in a very early stage, but Palace hope European qualification will give them an edge during negotiations.

Their FA Cup triumph gave them an automatic ticket to the Europa League, although they could yet be stripped of those privileges by UEFA’s multi-club rules.

Nevertheless, Palace are looking to strengthen their squad, and Diomande is a priority target.

The Ivory Coast international is considered one of the most exciting young defenders in Europe and has been linked with Chelsea and Arsenal.

His contract with Sporting contains a £68 million release clause, but they are open to negotiating a deal.

Diomande would be an excellent signing for Palace

Signing Diomande would be a massive coup for Palace if they can pull off a deal.

Their FA Cup win and subsequent Europa League qualification has bolstered their coffers, but a deal for Diomande may need the club to smash their transfer record.

The Ivorian defender has shown maturity beyond his years, having established himself as a first-team regular at Sporting. He is composed, physical and comfortable playing out of the back.

Palace’s interest in Diomande is a response to the uncertainty surrounding the future of club captain Marc Guehi, who has been heavily linked with a summer exit.

Guehi is not short on potential suitors. He came close to joining Newcastle United last summer, while Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool have also expressed interest.

Palace are reluctant to lose Guehi, but Diomande would be an excellent replacement if he eventually gets his big-money move.