Diomande has no preference on next club amid Liverpool and Chelsea interest

Jacque Talbot

• 16 Jan 2024 12:30 CST
• 2 min read

Ousmane Diomande does not have a specific club or league in mind to join whenever he departs Sporting CP amid interest from Chelsea and Liverpool, FootballTransfers has learned.

The centre-back is being scouted by both sides, we are told, but it is deemed unlikely that any deal will be done this month. The defender is well-liked by those in the Chelsea recruitment but his current outfit will demand the full release clause of £69milllion met and will not entertain offers below that. The Blues do not have the funds to pursue the youngster during the winter window.

The release clause will also be active in the subsequent window, we understand, so any club that wishes to buy Diomande this year will have to fork out a relatively high amount.

Diomande and Inacio make up part of Ruben Amorim’s back three and the club do not wish to see both leave, especially with the Leoes sitting in the top spot of Primeira Liga.

The 20-year-old is currently away representing Ivory Coast in the Africa Cup of Nations. He recently earned his fourth international cap over the weekend, in the nation’s 2-0 win over Guinea-Bissau in the opening Group A game..

Diomande has established himself as one of the most sought-after central defenders in Europe following his move to Portugal from Danish club FC Midtjylland in January last year.

Where will Ousmane Diomande move to?

He has been linked to a plethora of clubs and there it is believed that there will be intense rivalry to ensure his signature in the summer.

Diomande is under contract at Sporting until the summer of 2027 and is known for his versatility at the backline.

He is expected to start for Ivory Coast in their next AFCON group-stage fixture against Nigeria on Thursday.