Manchester United and Leeds chase Sporting centre-back

Manchester United and Leeds United are among the clubs interested in Sporting CP defender Ousmane Diomande this summer.

Leeds are willing to break their transfer record to land Diomande, whose contract at Sporting contains an €80m (£69m) release clause.

However, Daniel Farke’s side believe an offer of £43m, made up of an initial £35m with add-ons, could be enough to get a deal done.

According to Portuguese outlet A Bola, Leeds are aiming to wrap up a deal quickly, aware of strong competition from rival Premier League teams.

Manchester United have tracked Diomande extensively, though a central defender is not an immediate priority, with current focus on the club’s midfield rebuild. Crystal Palace, Newcastle, Chelsea and Arsenal are also named as admirers.

The 21-year-old will represent Ivory Coast at this summer’s World Cup, for whom he has won 15 caps.

Diomande has won two Primeira Liga titles since signing for Sporting in 2022 and has been named in Portugal’s Team of the Season in each of the last two campaigns.

No formal offer has yet been tabled by English clubs, though Sporting are braced for bids as the summer progresses.

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