Nottingham Forest has secured the signing of Ivory Coast international Ousmane Diomande from Sporting CP in a deal reportedly worth around £35 million. The 22-year-old defender is understood to be a key target for new Forest manager Oliver Glasner, who previously sought his signature for Crystal Palace.
Diomande's transfer is seen as a significant acquisition for Forest, particularly as they transition to a back-three formation. He is familiar with Glasner's preferred 3-4-2-1 system, having played in a similar setup under Ruben Amorim at Sporting.
Known for his intense competitive nature, Diomande's drive was so pronounced at Sporting that he and former teammate Viktor Gyokeres, now with Arsenal, were sometimes prevented from training against each other due to the intensity of their duels. This perfectionist streak is expected to help him adapt quickly to the Premier League.
Glasner, who has previously emphasized the paramount importance of winning, has been a long-time admirer of Diomande. He targeted the defender as a potential replacement for Marc Guéhi at Crystal Palace in January, but a move did not materialize. Diomande subsequently signed a new contract with Sporting, which included a release clause of approximately £68.5 million. His eventual move to Forest marks a successful pursuit by Glasner in his new role.
Standing at 6ft 3in, Diomande possesses a combination of speed, ball-playing ability, and defensive strength. He won 66% of his duels in the Champions League last season and demonstrated his defensive capabilities by effectively marking Erling Haaland during Sporting's 4-1 victory over Manchester City in a Champions League group stage match two seasons ago. His recovery pace is also highlighted as a valuable asset for Forest, especially when defending with a high line.
Diomande is expected to slot into the right side of Forest's back three, alongside Murillo and Nikola Milenkovic. Glasner's system may allow him the freedom to carry the ball forward and execute line-breaking passes. However, his youthful exuberance has led to occasional lapses in concentration and instances of overconfidence in possession, suggesting a need for further development and experience, which is anticipated under Glasner's guidance.
Despite his age, Diomande brings considerable experience, with 87 appearances in the Portuguese top flight, 18 in the Champions League, 12 in the Europa League, and 16 international caps for Ivory Coast. He has also won the Portuguese top flight twice and the Portuguese Cup with Sporting. He joined Sporting three years ago from Danish side Midtjylland, having initially been identified by scouts while on loan at second-tier Mafra.
Sporting acquired Diomande for approximately £14 million in January 2023, and they are understood to be due to receive 10% of any profit from his future transfer. The club's former head coach, Amorim, identified Diomande's potential early on, noting his composure even in challenging matches. The transfer is considered a significant coup for Nottingham Forest, with expectations that Diomande's value could increase substantially with continued development, potentially making him a leading center-back and a future asset for a larger club.