Nottingham Forest are accelerating their summer transfer activity and are now closing in on a significant €40 million deal, plus performance-related bonuses, for highly-rated Sporting Club de Portugal centre-back Ousmane Diomande. The 22-year-old Ivorian defender has become a primary target for the Premier League side, with negotiations advancing rapidly on this high-profile move.
According to prominent Portuguese outlets A Bola and Record, who have both provided detailed updates today, July 22, 2026, Nottingham Forest are mounting a serious and determined push to secure the services of the talented young defender. The reports indicate that Forest have tabled a substantial opening proposal worth €40 million upfront, with additional bonuses that could push the total value of the deal to €45 million. Sporting CP, however, are actively working to drive the fee even higher, with ambitions of securing a package closer to the €50 million mark before sanctioning the departure of one of their key assets.
Forest Go All-Out in Pursuit
A Bola’s reporting emphasizes that Nottingham Forest are “mounting an all-out bid” for the 22-year-old. The Premier League club’s hierarchy, keen to bolster their squad ahead of another demanding campaign, have prioritized Diomande and are pushing negotiations forward with urgency. While the current figures on the table are already substantial, Sporting Lisbon are determined to extract maximum value from the sale.
The Portuguese club’s stance is understandable when viewed through the lens of their investment in the player. Diomande was signed from Danish side Midtjylland in 2023 for an initial fee of €7.5 million. Including add-ons and performance bonuses, that figure rose to €12.5 million. Sporting then invested a further €2 million in development and related costs, bringing their total expenditure on the Ivorian defender to approximately €14.5 million. A sale in the region of €40-50 million would therefore represent a very healthy profit, allowing the Lions to reinvest significantly in their squad.
Talks between the two clubs are described as well underway, with both sides engaged in constructive dialogue. Although Nottingham Forest are yet to submit a fully formal, concrete offer in writing, sources close to the negotiations suggest that an official bid of around €40 million could be lodged within the coming hours. This structured approach reflects Forest’s growing ambition in the transfer market as they seek to establish themselves as a competitive Premier League outfit.
The Oliver Glasner Connection
Record newspaper corroborates much of the information, stating that Diomande is “getting ever closer” to a move to Nottingham Forest. Crucially, the interest is understood to stem in part from the explicit admiration of Oliver Glasner. The Austrian tactician, now at Crystal Palace, had strongly wanted to bring the young centre-back to London last summer. That prior interest has seemingly helped elevate Diomande’s profile, and Forest have used their resources to step ahead of clubs like Crystal Palace and Newcastle United.
Sporting are fully aware of the player’s release clause, which is reported to sit significantly higher — reportedly double the current offer level. This explains their confidence in pushing for an improved package. Nevertheless, the club appears prepared for the player’s exit, as evidenced by their proactive steps in the market.
In a clear sign of Sporting’s confidence that the Diomande transfer will go through, they have already turned their attention to a replacement. Portuguese reports indicate that a deal for Famalicão defender Ibrahima Ba is practically finalized and is simply awaiting the finalization of Diomande’s departure. This swift contingency planning underscores how advanced the situation has become.
Player Background and Market Context
Ousmane Diomande has developed into one of the most promising young centre-backs in European football since arriving at Sporting. His ability to play out from the back, combined with his physical presence and reading of the game, has drawn comparisons to some of the finest modern defenders. At just 22 years of age, he represents both immediate quality and long-term potential — attributes that make him particularly appealing to Premier League clubs looking to comply with financial regulations while building sustainably.
For Nottingham Forest, securing Diomande would represent a major statement of intent. The club has been active in the market, seeking to add depth and quality across the backline. Bringing in a player of Diomande’s calibre, especially one with prior interest from a respected manager like Oliver Glasner, would be viewed as a significant coup.
Crystal Palace, meanwhile, may now be left to reflect on missed opportunities from the previous summer. Glasner’s desire for the player was well documented internally, but the club was unable to push through a deal at that time. Newcastle United also monitored the situation but currently trail Forest in the race.
What Happens Next?
As of July 22, 2026, the transfer saga is reaching a critical juncture. With negotiations intensifying and Sporting eager to maximize their return on investment, fans of all involved clubs will be watching closely over the next few days. Should the deal reach the €45-50 million range with bonuses, it would rank among the notable defensive transfers of the window.
Nottingham Forest supporters will be hopeful that this momentum translates into a swift conclusion, providing their team with a dynamic young defender capable of making an immediate impact in the Premier League. Sporting CP, on the other hand, will look to reinvest any proceeds wisely, with Ibrahima Ba poised to step into the squad as a direct replacement.
This story continues to develop rapidly. A Bola and Record have delivered the most authoritative updates so far today, painting a picture of a transfer that is very much on track despite the inevitable haggling over the final fee. Forest’s ambition, combined with Glasner’s historical interest, has created a compelling narrative that could soon see Ousmane Diomande trading the Primeira Liga for the intensity of English football.