Nottingham Forest are set to sign Sporting CP defender Ousmane Diomande for €40million (£34.3m; $46.2m).
The deal is in the process of being finalised and, if all goes to plan, Diomande is expected to fly later on Saturday to undergo a medical ahead of signing a proposed five-year contract at Forest.
The Athletic reported on July 22 that Forest were in advanced talks with Sporting over Diomande, who has had suitors from across Europe this summer.
The 22-year-old centre-back represented Ivory Coast at the World Cup this summer, alongside Forest midfielder Ibrahim Sangare, and has made 132 appearances for Sporting since joining from Danish side Midtjylland in January 2023. Diomande has played 16 times for his country.
Forest have already completed the signing of midfielder Xaver Schlager on a free transfer from RB Leipzig, as new head coach Oliver Glasner begins to shape his squad at the City Ground. Sangare and centre-back Murillo have also signed new contracts this summer, penning terms until 2029 and 2030 respectively.
Diomande the final part of Glasner’s back three?
Analysis by Nottingham Forest correspondent Paul Taylor
The signing of Diomande is not only a significant statement of intent from Forest, but it could also provide a key piece of Oliver Glasner’s defensive jigsaw.
At Crystal Palace, Glasner had a back three that he viewed as having the perfect blend of attributes.
Marc Guehi had hugely intelligent instincts but was not the strongest in the air, Chris Richards was hugely powerful aerially but lacked a turn of speed, and Maxence Lacroix was both tall and could play out from the back.
Diomande is seen as a player who can add to the qualities of Murillo and Nikola Milenkovic, who have forged an impressive partnership in the centre of defence over the last few years, to create something similar at the City Ground.
Milenkovic is a leader and a dominant defender who is strong aerially, but who is not the fastest. Equally, Murillo’s heading ability is not his biggest asset, but he has pace and acceleration, can play out from the back, carry the ball and is a capable defender.
Diomande would add some of the height and physical presence Glasner believes his squad needs to help them to thrive from set pieces at both ends of the pitch. But he is also confident and capable on the ball.
Forest felt they were close to landing Diomande during their training camp in Portugal but, while it has taken longer than expected to get the final details of the deal agreed, it feels like a pivotal moment in the early stages of Glasner’s tenure.
The Austrian is now equipped to play with the back three he favoured as Palace won the FA Cup, the Community Shield and the Conference League over the last two seasons.
