Manchester United will face competition from Premier League rivals Chelsea if they want to sign Sporting defender Ousmane Diomande, according to the latest reports.
TEAMtalk claims the Blues are the front runners to sign the defender, who has risen to prominence at Ruben Amorim's former stomping ground. The Ivorian defender, who has a reported £66m release clause in his contract, has been linked with a number of clubs across Europe in recent months, having impressed with the Portuguese side.
The defender was a key member of Amorim's starting XI that won the Primeira Liga title last season, alongside Goncalo Inacio in the heart of defence. The pair conceded just 29 league goals all season, with Diomande linked with a sensational reunion with Amorim at Old Trafford.
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However, the report claims the 21-year-old is a top target for Chelsea in the summer transfer window, with Maresca keen on signing a left-sided centre half. Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi is also said to be on the Blues' radar, who would be a cheaper alternative heading into the final few months of his contract.
The report claims Chelsea's transfer committee Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley are confident of negotiating a cheaper fee than the aforementioned release clause. Arsenal and Bayern Munich have also been credited with an interest in the rising star, who already boasts plenty of experience at an elite level.
His agent, Luis Cassaiano Neves spoke about interest in the defender back in September 2023 and told A Bola: "He is extremely satisfied at Sporting, he is very focused on the club and the objectives for this season, which include winning the national title and improving.
"And he knows that Sporting is the ideal club for this evolution. The player will be happy to sit at the table with Sporting, but so far there is nothing. Sporting is Diomande's present and future, he wants to evolve but there is nothing regarding a renewal."
Diomande is under contract until the summer of 2027 and though it remains to be seen if United will make a move for the defender in the upcoming summer window, having Amorim at the helm could give the club a substantial advantage in terms of transfer negotiations.
The Man United boss has been linked with a number of former players since taking over at the Old Trafford helm, with Sporting striker Viktor Gyokeres the main man who could solve the Reds' goal scoring woes. Despite ruling out a move for any players from his former club in January, as proved to be the case, Amorim did not rule out any approach in the summer.
