Nottingham Forest close in on Ousmane Diomande deal

Nottingham Forest are in advanced negotiations to sign Sporting CP centre-back Ousmane Diomande, with talks ongoing both with the Portuguese club and the player’s representatives.

The 22-year-old Ivory Coast international has been identified as one of Forest’s priority defensive targets this summer, and discussions are described as progressing positively, even if an agreement has not yet been finalised.

Diomande has grown into a key figure for Sporting since his arrival, drawing strong Premier League interest ahead of the new season.

His rise stems from a long development path: he came through the ranks of Ivorian side Olympic Sport Abobo after joining them at the age of 10, before moving to Danish club Midtjylland’s academy in January 2020.

He then joined Portuguese side Mafra on a season-long loan on 5 August 2022, making his professional debut the very next day in a 3-1 Liga Portugal 2 defeat to Oliveirense. Thanks to a series of impressive displays, his loan was cut short midway through the campaign and he completed a transfer to Sporting CP on 31 January 2023.

Forest see Diomande’s blend of athleticism and composure as ideal for stabilising their back line, and are pushing to conclude a deal swiftly so he can slot in before the new campaign begins.