Exclusive: Crystal Palace Deal for Diomande Takes Unexpected Twist..
Crystal Palace are in danger of being unable to convince Sporting to lower their demands for Ousmane Diomande when members of the Selhurst Park recruitment department enter further negotiations ahead of the Premier League campaign getting underway next month, GIVEMESPORT sources have revealed.
Although the Eagles have followed up the arrival of free agent Walter Benitez with the acquisition of left-back Borna Sosa, thanks to reaching a £2million agreement with Eredivisie heavyweights Ajax last week, head coach Oliver Glasner has continued scouring the market for further reinforcements as he aims to build on winning the FA Cup last term.
Despite being demoted to the UEFA Conference League due to multi-club ownership rules, which has come as a significant blow after putting a piece of silverware in the trophy cabinet, Crystal Palace are eager to bolster their options before the summer transfer window slams shut on September 1.
Hurdle Emerges in Eagles’ Push for Diomande
Central defender will not be sold for significantly discounted fee
Ousmane Diomande in action for Sporting
Crystal Palace are facing a fresh challenge in their bid to sign Diomande after there has been an unexpected twist, according to GMS sources, as the ongoing saga over Sporting striker Viktor Gyokeres’ future has resulted in the Primeira Liga heavyweights becoming more stringent about the terms for other members of the squad to leave the Jose Alvalade Stadium.
The central defender has given indications that he is open to embarking on a fresh challenge in the Premier League, which has aided the Eagles in their pursuit of a deal, but it has become increasingly clear that they will not be able to recruit him for a cut-price fee as preparations are made for the upcoming season.
GMS sources have been informed that Crystal Palace will have less room for negotiation if Sporting stick to their current stance and that could have an impact on their ability to land Diomande, who has been on Glasner’s radar after enjoying a productive 2024/25 campaign in his current surroundings.
Ousmane Diomande’s statistics for Sporting during the 2024/25 campaign
Although the Eagles are aware that the Ivory Coast international has a release clause worth close to £70million written into his contract, they have been hopeful of being able to agree a switch for significantly less than that figure as they go in search of bolstering a squad preparing to compete in Europe for the first time in the south Londoners’ history.
Sporting’s insistence that they will not listen to bargain offers has created an additional hurdle for Crystal Palace, GMS sources have learned, but they are continuing to show interest in Diomande as Glasner is eager to bring in a fresh option at the heart of the backline before going head-to-head with Liverpool for the Community Shield on August 10.
GIVEMESPORT Key Statistic: Ousmane Diomande enjoyed 752 minutes of Champions League action during the 2024/25 campaign, averaging 3.3 ball recoveries per outing
Diomande Earmarked Amid Guehi Uncertainty
Glasner remains fearful of losing captain before transfer deadline
Marc Guehi in action for Crystal Palace
GMS sources have been told that Crystal Palace have remained fearful of losing Marc Guehi after he entered the final 12 months of his contract, resulting in Diomande being earmarked as a serious target as they do not want to find themselves in a situation where their captain departs without a replacement being lined up.
The 21-year-old Sporting fan favourite has been described as ‘phenomenal’ by scout Antonio Mango and, having remained among the first names on the team sheet despite there being speculation over his long-term future in the latter stages of the 2024/25 campaign, he is keen to take his career in another direction.
But uncertainty over how much Sporting will recoup for first-choice centre forward Gyokeres has hindered Crystal Palace’s push to sign Diomande, GMS sources understand, and the south Londoners are having to remain patient instead of having an opportunity to pounce in the coming days.
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