Report: Palace line up Sporting star as contract talks stall at Selhurst Park | OneFootball

Crystal Palace Explore Ousmane Diomande as Marc Guehi Uncertainty Grows

Planning for defensive evolution at Selhurst Park

Crystal Palace have initiated exploratory steps towards a potential move for Sporting CP centre-back Ousmane Diomande, with the future of Marc Guehi increasingly in the spotlight. As the club prepare for what could be a significant summer of transition under Oliver Glasner, attention has turned to strengthening the defensive core of a side buoyed by their FA Cup success last season.

While no final decision has been made on Guehi’s next step, the club’s hierarchy are conscious of his contract entering its final year. That scenario is likely to trigger bids from Premier League clubs, and Palace are determined to avoid being caught unprepared should their captain depart.

Diomande attracting Europe’s elite

Diomande, just 21, has swiftly developed into one of Europe’s standout young defenders. After moving to Sporting in January 2023 from Midtjylland — a club with a growing reputation for nurturing elite talent — the Ivorian has gone from promising prospect to regular first-team performer.

In the recently concluded campaign, he featured 31 times in the Primeira Liga and notably started in Sporting’s 4-1 victory over Manchester City — Ruben Amorim’s final home match as manager. Diomande’s assured performances have not gone unnoticed. Scouts from Europe’s top clubs, including Premier League giants, have been monitoring him closely for the past three seasons.

Sporting are well aware of the value they hold in the young defender. With two years left on his current deal, any club looking to secure his signature would likely need to meet a valuation north of £45 million — a figure shaped by both his form and the club’s negotiations with Chelsea over another prized talent, Geovany Quenda.

Photo IMAGO

Guehi interest expected to heat up

Marc Guehi’s situation adds further complexity. While Palace are not resigned to losing their captain this summer, his contract status makes a transfer increasingly plausible.

There is a growing belief that formal offers will emerge in the coming weeks. Newcastle United came close to a deal last summer, and while that fell through, their interest remains. Tottenham Hotspur have previously explored a move, and Chelsea, who developed Guehi through their academy system, are thought to be monitoring developments at Selhurst Park.

Still, no club has tabled a concrete bid. Palace remain hopeful that Guehi’s valuation — expected to be significant given his homegrown status and international credentials — will deter lowball offers.

Palace future-proofing under Glasner

Oliver Glasner’s tenure is still in its infancy, but there is a clear sense that Palace are taking a proactive approach to squad building. The interest in Diomande is emblematic of that strategy — preparing early, targeting young players with high ceilings, and attempting to stay ahead of the curve amid an increasingly volatile market.

Diomande ticks several boxes: age profile, top-level experience, and the potential for resale value. Palace know that securing him would be no small feat given the calibre of clubs watching him, but their early enquiries suggest an ambition to push their recruitment strategy beyond survival and towards consistent top-half contention.

As Guehi’s future becomes clearer, Palace’s response — both in ambition and execution — could set the tone for what comes next in this new chapter at Selhurst Park.