Ivory Coast defender Ousmane Diomandé closes in on Nottingham Forest move

Nottingham Forest are closing in on the signing of Ivory Coast international Ousmane Diomandé as negotiations with Sporting CP continue over the structure of the proposed transfer.

Discussions between the Premier League club and the Portuguese champions are progressing, although a final agreement has yet to be reached.

The two sides remain in talks over the financial details of the deal, with Sporting continuing to hold firm on their valuation of the defender.

According to reports, the Portuguese club are seeking a guaranteed fee of €40 million, with a further €5 million in performance-related bonuses before sanctioning the departure of one of their most valuable assets.

While negotiations between the clubs remain ongoing, Nottingham Forest have reportedly already reached an agreement with Diomandé over the personal terms of his contract.

The development indicates that the defender is willing to make the move to the Premier League if the clubs can finalise the transfer.

Forest have prioritised strengthening their defensive options ahead of the new season, and the 21-year-old has emerged as one of their principal targets during the summer transfer window.

Diomandé’s reputation has grown significantly since joining Sporting, where he has established himself as one of the most highly regarded young defenders in European football.

His performances in Portugal have attracted interest from several clubs, reflecting his rapid development and increasing market value.

The Ivorian has earned praise for his composure in possession, physical presence and tactical awareness, qualities that have made him an important member of Sporting’s defence.

Those attributes have also reinforced the Portuguese club’s determination to secure a transfer package that reflects his importance to the team.

For Nottingham Forest, completing the signing would represent another significant step in their plans to strengthen the squad before the start of the new campaign.

The club continues to pursue reinforcements as it looks to build on recent performances and improve its competitiveness in the Premier League.

Despite positive progress in discussions, the transfer has not yet been completed. The outcome will depend on whether Nottingham Forest and Sporting can bridge the remaining gap over the payment structure and final financial terms.

With personal terms reportedly already agreed, attention now turns to negotiations between the two clubs as they work towards reaching a full agreement that would pave the way for Diomandé’s move to England.