Liverpool are joining the race for Sporting defender Ousmane Diomande but may only move for him at the end of the season.
Liverpool will surely move for a new defender in 2024 and there may be a temptation to strike in January.
Joel Matip is out injured and may have played his final game for Liverpool given that his contract expires in the summer.
More competition is needed at the back and Liverpool may focus on landing a natural left-footed centre back…
Liverpool interested in Sporting defender Ousmane Diomande
The Daily Mail now report that Liverpool are showing a keen interest in Sporting defender Ousmane Diomande.
We have seen Liverpool place a keen focus on the Portuguese market in recent times, signing Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez from Porto and Benfica respectively.
Liverpool could strike again with central defender Diomande on the wish list at Anfield.
It is though noted that Liverpool could wait until the summer transfer window to move for Diomande, rather than move for him in January.
Diomande has been on a pretty meteoric rise of late having spent the first half of last season loan at Portuguese second-tier side Mafra.
The Ivorian was on the books at Danish side Midtjylland at the time but never actually made an appearance for the club and was sold to Sporting in January 2023.
Hailed for having ‘immense potential’ by former Mafra teammate Gui Ferreira, Diomande has enjoyed a superb year with Sporting, becoming one of the top young defenders in Portuguese football.
Liverpool now seemingly fancy Diomande, who has been hailed as an ‘excellent’ defender by Sporting teammate Jeremiah St Juste.
The problem for Liverpool is that the 20-year-old – who stands at a giant 6ft 3in tall – has an €80million (£69million) release clause in his contract.
Sporting may stick to that valuation and push Liverpool – or even Chelsea and Arsenal, who are also interested – to pay a huge fee in 2024.
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