Crystal Palace ramping up interest in Sporting CP defender Ousmane Diomande

Crystal Palace ramping up interest in Sporting CP defender Ousmane DiomandeCrystal Palace are ramping up their interest in Sporting CP centre-back Ousmane Diomande.According to A Bola, Palace are exploring an ambitious deal for the highly rated 21-year-old as they look to build on their FA Cup win last season.AdvertisementDiomande has been a shrewd acquisition for Sporting since he joined from FC Midtjylland in January 2023. He has been a consistent performer, and Palace have made enquiries about the defender.Talks are still at a very early stage, but Palace are hoping their newfound European status will give them an edge during negotiations.Their FA Cup triumph gave them an automatic ticket to the Europa League, although they could yet be stripped of those privileges by UEFA’s multi-club rules.Nevertheless, Palace are looking to strengthen their squad, and Diomande is a priority target.The Ivory Coast international is considered one of the most exciting young defenders in Europe and has been linked with the likes of Chelsea and Arsenal.AdvertisementHis contract with Sporting is protected by a £68 million release clause, but with just two years left on his current deal, the Portuguese side are open to negotiating a deal.Diomande would be an excellent signing for PalaceLanding Diomande’s signature would be a massive coup for Palace if they can somehow pull off a deal.Their FA Cup win and subsequent Europa League qualification has bolstered their coffers, but any deal for Diomande may need the club to smash their transfer record.The Ivorian defender has shown maturity beyond his years, having established himself as a first-team regular at Sporting. He is composed, physical, and comfortable playing out of the back.AdvertisementHis rapid rise to prominence has also earned him a spot in the Ivory Coast national team set-up.Palace’s interest in Diomande is a response to the uncertainty surrounding the future of club captain Marc Guehi, who has been heavily linked with a summer exit.Guehi is not short on potential suitors. He came close to joining Newcastle United last summer, while Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur, and Liverpool have also sounded out an interest.Palace are extremely reluctant to lose Guehi. But Diomande would be an excellent replacement if the Englishman eventually gets his big-money move.