From Denmark: Manchester City hold talks over FC Midtjylland defender Ousmane Diomande – Arsenal and Sporting also interested | OneFootball

Manchester City have entered the race for FC Midtjylland’s rising defensive talent Ousmane Diomande, according to reports.

Interest in the teenage defender comes as City continue their pursuit of sweeping up the globe’s finest young footballing talent, with their search most recently taking them to Argentina over the past weeks.

On Monday, Manchester City confirmed the acquisition of 20 year-old Argentina international midfielder Maximo Perrone, with the Velez Sarsfield star joining the club following the conclusion of the South American U20 Championships next month.

While Perrone will be joining City directly and not heading out on loan, there is an expectation that he will play no part in the remainder of the season, with a decision on his future set to be made in the summer.

Now, their newest search takes them to Denmark, where rising centre-back talent Ousmane Diomande has appeared on their radar – but perhaps at too late of a stage given interest from elsewhere in Europe.

According to a new report from Danish news outlet B.T., Manchester City have now ‘joined the battle’ for the ‘jewel’ of FC Midtjylland – Ousmane Diomande. This interest from City adds to an existing list of clubs containing Arsenal, Southampton, Sevilla, Benfica, and Porto.

This new development involving the Premier League champions comes after Sporting Lisbon reportedly lodged a bid of €5 million for the 19 year-old defender, raising their offer to €8 million as recently as Monday – according to the report.

Specifically concerning Manchester City, B.T. report that Etihad officials held talks with FC Midtjylland about Ousmane Diomande ‘several times this week’, on both Monday and Tuesday. However, they are yet to launch an official offer for the player.

Unfortunately for City, there is a growing feeling that Diomande will join Sporting Lisbon, with B.T. sources stating that ‘positive negotiations’ continue to take place between the two clubs and a deal could be struck at €10 million plus sell-on clauses.

Elsewhere, Manchester City are continuing to press on with their own immediate plans for their first-team, with contractual negotiations taking centre stage over the coming weeks and months ahead.

Ilkay Gundogan is subject to more urgent talks with his existing deal set to expire at the end of the ongoing season, while Julian Alvarez has been sounded out by City officials as a player deserving of improved terms following his performances since joining the side.