Latest news with #OusmaneDiomande
Yahoo
13 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Liverpool target Sporting Lisbon star as Van Dijk's new defensive partner
Liverpool Eye Centre-Back Duo as Defensive Rebuild Looms As Liverpool transition into the Arne Slot era, the search for stability at the heart of the defence continues. According to a detailed report by the Reds have now identified two youthful central defenders — Ousmane Diomande and Abdelhamid Ait Boudlal — as potential solutions to a position that has recently been more fragile than firm. Diomande's Rise and Slot's Next Statement Move Sporting Lisbon's Ousmane Diomande is more than just a promising talent. At 21, he boasts a league and cup double, along with 46 appearances across all competitions last season. That level of exposure at a young age speaks volumes, particularly in a system as tactically demanding as Sporting's. Picture:IMAGO The report notes that 'Liverpool is considering its defensive options ahead of next season, as uncertainty lingers over a number of the club's current centre-backs.' It's not difficult to see why. While 'Van Dijk is staying put for another two years', the outlook around Ibrahima Konaté is less certain, 'ahead of the expiration of his contract next year'. Joe Gomez is working his way back from injury, and Jarell Quansah, despite early promise, 'has just experienced a regressive campaign.' Advertisement In short, reinforcements are not only desired but arguably essential. Missed Targets and New Alternatives Dean Huijsen, once thought to be on Liverpool's radar, chose Real Madrid. That has seemingly forced the club to pivot. 'A report by Portuguese outlet A Bola said that Liverpool has taken the 'first step' towards signing Diomande,' with Crystal Palace also circling as they prepare for life without Marc Guehi. That first step could be decisive. Diomande is a physical, composed defender with Champions League-level experience. If Liverpool can move quickly, they may land a player who could realistically partner Van Dijk from the opening day. Spotlight on Ait Boudlal The Reds are not stopping at Diomande. Rennes' Abdelhamid Ait Boudlal, just 19, is also reportedly a serious target. 'Liverpool and Newcastle are both said to be interested,' yet it is claimed by Le360 Sport that the Reds have already tabled a concrete offer. Advertisement He is an unknown to most fans. 'Given his young age and lack of top-level game time, most soccer fans are unlikely to have heard of him, but he is highly rated.' Last October, The Guardian named him as one of the best players born in 2006. Ait Boudlal's nine appearances for Amiens, on loan from Rennes, show he's starting to test himself in senior football. At 6-foot-3 and described as having 'defensive intelligence, and a maturity rare for his age,' the Moroccan could be a smart, long-term addition. Slot's Defensive Plan Taking Shape Slot's approach so far has been pragmatic. There's a clear desire to reduce the physical burden on Van Dijk while improving transition resilience. These two centre-backs reflect that profile — young, athletic, and positionally sharp. Advertisement With Liverpool known for moving decisively when they identify a fit, both Diomande and Ait Boudlal could be part of a defensive refresh designed to support a tactical overhaul under their new Dutch boss. Our View – Anfield Index Analysis This feels like a proper Liverpool move — smart scouting, young potential, and real upside. Diomande has the pedigree. Winning a double in Portugal and starting 46 games at 21? That's serious experience. If Konaté is on the way out, then this would be a brilliant replacement. He's got the build, the ball-playing ability, and most importantly, he's available. And let's talk about Ait Boudlal — the guy is only 19 but already making waves in France. If the club has made a formal offer, it shows they're not messing around. It's also great to see us competing with clubs like Newcastle and winning. That hasn't always been the case in the last few years when it comes to young talent. But the best part? These aren't just squad fillers. Diomande could start next to Van Dijk now, while Ait Boudlal could be groomed like Quansah was. This sort of long-term planning excites me. With Arne Slot building from the back, it looks like the club is finally learning from recent injuries and defensive collapses. Let's get it done.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Liverpool to make offer for €60m centre-back within DAYS
Liverpool secured Virgil van Dijk to a contract renewal before the end of the season. With the Dutchman's previous terms expiring in summer 2025, sporting director Richard Hughes ensured continuity at centre-back by having Van Dijk commit until 2027. That gives the Reds a degree of security in making their defensive plans but all around Van Dijk there is uncertainty. We could see Jarell Quansah and Joe Gomez LEAVE in this transfer window, reducing the number of available centre-backs by two. Advertisement Those sales would leave Liverpool with ONLY Van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate as options in the heart of defence. But the captain turns 34 this summer and won't be around forever, while the Merseysiders have also got a problem to solve with Konate. The Frenchman, 26, is out of contract next year and if no agreement is reached over a renewal then he too could be sold. In this context it is wise for Richard Hughes and Arne Slot to be looking at the market for new defenders. Diomande back on the radar Their search has now reportedly taken them back to Portugal, where Ousmane Diomande is once again in focus. Diomande, 21, has just won the Portuguese league and cup double with his side, earning the plaudits for another solid season's work. Advertisement The Ivory Coast international is now attracting transfer attention from the Premier League - with A Bola disclosing that Crystal Palace have got the former Midtjylland stopper on their list to replace Marc Guehi. 'The Premier League club sought to find out the amount to buy the central defender from Alvalade and received the answer immediately: the Lions will only sit at the negotiating table for amounts of around €60 million,' the report reads. But intriguingly it's added that several other Premier League clubs - Liverpool included - have also taken this 'first step' towards signing Diomande. Liverpool could make Diomande offer 'Crystal Palace, by the way, were not the only ones to take this first step towards Diomande,' the report continues. Advertisement 'Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester United, as well as Bayern Munich (interest dating back to January) have not lost sight of the centre-back and could make an offer in the coming days.' Diomande is under contract until 2027 having joined Sporting from Danish side Midtjylland in 2023. He has played 101 times for Sporting, scoring six goals and adding two assists. On FOTMOB he ranks highly for recoveries and duels won - while his aerial duel percentage is solid at around 65 percent.
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Crystal Palace target £40m-rated star as potential replacement for captain Marc Guehi - and hold talks with Jean-Philippe Mateta amid Man United interest
Crystal Palace have enquired after Sporting Lisbon's £40million-rated defender Ousmane Diomande and have held positive talks over a new contract for striker Jean-Philippe Mateta. Palace face competition for Diomande, 21, who would be viewed as a replacement for Marc Guehi. Meanwhile, Mateta, who has attracted attention from Manchester United, Aston Villa and Marseille, has held positive discussions over staying at Selhurst Park. Palace anticipate offers will come from Newcastle and Chelsea for Guehi. The Magpies made a plethora of failed bids for the England international last summer, whom Palace demanded £70m for. Aside from Guehi, Chelsea remain keen on a number of defensive options, including Jorrel Hato of Ajax. The highly rated centre back made his senior debut at just 16 years old and became an undisputed starter for the Eredivisie side last season. Now 19, Hato has been appointed as one of Ajax's vice-captains, and was named Eredivisie Talent of the Year in 2024-25. Meanwhile, Napoli are monitoring Trevoh Chalobah's situation. The centre back has been at Chelsea since the age of eight, but his place at Stamford Bridge has come under heavy speculation over the past year. Chalobah joined Palace on a season-long loan last August, but was recalled in January due to Enzo Maresca's defensive injury crisis.
Telegraph
3 days ago
- Sport
- Telegraph
Crystal Palace chasing £45m-rated Sporting Lisbon defender
Crystal Palace have explored an ambitious deal for Sporting Lisbon's Ousmane Diomande – one of the most highly rated centre-backs in Europe – as they look to build on their FA Cup triumph last season. With Marc Guehi entering the final year of his contract, bids are expected for the Palace captain this summer and the club have been looking at possible targets in the event of needing to bolster Oliver Glasner's back line. Diomande, 21, represents the level of Palace's aspirations for next season as the Ivory Coast international has been watched by scouts of the Premier League's heavyweight teams over the last three seasons in Portugal's top-flight. He was nurtured by Ruben Amorim at Sporting and has inevitably been linked to Manchester United as the Portuguese head coach reshapes his squad. Chelsea have also looked at Sporting's young players and have already moved to sign winger Geovany Quenda. But all clubs across Europe have been aware of Diomande ever since his breakthrough into senior football following his January 2023 move from Danish club Midtjylland, who have a track record of developing players for the big European teams. Diomande has two seasons left on his contract at Estadio Jose Alvalade which could impact his price over the next year, although he would be expected to cost at least £45 million in the current market, given Quenda's deal to go to Chelsea in a year. Amorim started him in Sporting's 4-1 win over Manchester City last season – the manager's last home game for the Lisbon club – and he made 31 appearances in the Primeira Liga across the campaign. There are no guarantees over Guehi leaving Selhurst Park this summer, with official bids yet to be made for the England centre-back. Newcastle United came close to agreeing a fee for him last summer but fell just short, while Tottenham Hotspur have previously shown interest. After coming through the Chelsea academy, the west London club are also keeping an eye on his situation.
BBC News
28-04-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Gossip: Newcastle plan to bolster defence
Newcastle United are working on a deal to sign South Korea international defender Kim Min-jae, 28, from Bayern Munich this summer. (Football Insider, external)Newcastle's shortlist for defensive reinforcements also include Sporting's 21-year-old Ivorian Ousmane Diomande, AC Milan's German defender Malick Thiaw, 23, and Dutchman Jan Paul van Hecke, 24, from Brighton. (GiveMeSport, external)Meanwhile Newcastle, Chelsea, Tottenham, West Ham, Liverpool and Manchester United are all interested in signing Canada striker Jonathan David, 25, when his Lille contract expires in the summer - but Marseille are hoping to persuade the player to stay in France. (RMC Sport, via Get Football News France, external)Want more transfer stories? Read Monday's full gossip column Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport
