Leeds United is preparing to shatter its own transfer record with a £43 million bid for Sporting CP centre-back Ousmane Diomande, a move that would signal the club’s ambitions are operating on a very different frequency than your typical promoted side.
The proposed deal, structured as £35 million upfront plus £8 million in add-ons, would comfortably eclipse the £35.5 million Leeds paid for Georginio Rutter back in 2022.
The target and the competition
Diomande, 22, has developed into one of the more coveted defensive prospects in European football since arriving at Sporting from Danish side Midtjylland for £11 million.
The Ivory Coast international’s progression at Sporting has been rapid enough to attract interest from Arsenal, Chelsea, Crystal Palace, Manchester United, and Newcastle United.
