Nottingham Forest are in advanced negotiations to sign Sporting CP centre-back Ousmane Diomande as the Premier League club move to strengthen their defensive options.
The Ivory Coast international, who was part of his country’s squad at the last World Cup but did not feature in any match, is understood to be close to an agreement with Forest, according to reports from transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano.
Barring any last-minute surprises, Diomande is not expected to remain at Sporting, with Forest increasingly confident of securing his signature.
Financial agreement the final hurdle
Forest have made the 20-year-old central defender a priority target as they look to reinforce the heart of their back line ahead of the new season.
Romano reports that talks between the English club and Sporting are at a very advanced stage, with only a financial compromise left to be finalised before a deal can be completed.
Negotiations are said to focus on finding common ground on the transfer fee and structure of the payment, but both parties are described as keen to reach an agreement.
In parallel with discussions between the two clubs, Forest are also in talks with Diomande’s entourage. The aim is to reassure the player and his camp over the long-term vision and ambition of the project at the City Ground.
Ivory Coast connection at the City Ground
A move to Nottingham would see Diomande join a growing Ivorian contingent at the club, most notably midfielder Ibrahim Sangare.
The presence of established compatriots is viewed as an important factor in helping Diomande adapt quickly to English football and to life in a new country, with Forest keen to create an environment in which he can settle and develop.
Forest see Diomande as a reliable, long-term option at centre-back, combining physical presence with strong anticipation and recovery pace – qualities that have attracted attention from clubs across Europe during his time in Portugal.
Sporting exit increasingly likely
Diomande’s departure from Sporting now appears probable, with the Portuguese club preparing themselves for life without one of their most coveted young defenders.
Sporting had previously been reluctant to lose the player, but the scale of Forest’s interest and the advanced nature of the talks suggest the Lisbon side may be willing to sell if their valuation is met.
While no formal announcement has yet been made, the negotiations are described as being at a decisive stage. If the financial details can be resolved, Diomande is expected to make the switch to the Premier League.
European pedigree and rising profile
Nottingham Forest’s pursuit of Diomande comes as the club look to build on their recent European experience. The English side reached the semi-finals of the Europa League last season, a run that has strengthened their appeal to ambitious young players across the continent.
For Diomande, a move to Forest would represent a significant step in his career: a first foray into English football, an opportunity to establish himself in one of Europe’s top leagues, and a chance to compete for regular minutes ahead of future international tournaments with Ivory Coast.
Final confirmation of the transfer will depend on the outcome of the financial talks in the coming days, but all indications point to Diomande being on the brink of a new challenge in Nottingham.
