According to Fabrizio Romano, Crystal Palace has opened discussions to sign Ousmane Diomande, a defender from Sporting CP. The Eagles are seeking to strengthen their squad following a successful 2024/25 season, which culminated in their first major trophy win against Manchester City in the FA Cup final and subsequent qualification for the Europa League.
Diomande, an Ivory Coast international, has been a regular starter for Sporting CP in the 2024/25 season, helping the team secure their second consecutive Portuguese league title. His impressive performances in the league and Champions League have drawn attention from European clubs, and Crystal Palace aims to capitalize on this opportunity by making the first move.
The club’s manager, Oliver Glasner, has reportedly given the green light for the transfer, and Diomande is said to be open to joining the Premier League. Crystal Palace’s interest in Diomande is likely linked to the potential departure of Marc Guehi, whose contract is set to expire in a year. Several top-tier clubs, including Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham, and Newcastle, have expressed strong interest in Guehi, who is keen on participating in the Champions League.
While Crystal Palace would ideally like to retain Guehi and sign Diomande as an additional asset, the most plausible scenario appears to be that Diomande would arrive as a replacement. Diomande’s statistics for the 2024/25 season are as follows:
- Games: 38
- Minutes: 3278
- Goals: 2
- Tackles per game: 1.1
- Blocks per game: 0.4
- Clearances per game: Not specified.
Praise for Diomande:
“Ousmane Diomande has been phenomenal for Sporting CP, showcasing his exceptional defensive skills and leadership on the pitch. His ability to read the game and make crucial interceptions has been impressive. If Crystal Palace can secure his services, it would be a significant boost to their defensive lineup.”
