Newcastle are lining up the £70million prodigy from Sporting Lisbon as Eddie Howe targets the transfer window to bolster their injury-plagued squad
NEWCASTLE have their eye on Sporting Lisbon defender Ousmane Diomande.
Toon boss Eddie Howe is desperate for reinforcements as the injury list grows and becomes a cause for concern.
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Diomande is on his radar, although his £70m release clause will give Newcastle’s Saudi owners something to think about when the transfer window opens in January.
Howe has sent scouts to monitor the 19-year-old star from Ivory Coast, who is currently considered the best young African player in Europe.
He has started every single game for Sporting and has been scouted by the Magpies at least three times since the start of the season.
Diomande, who likes to play in a back three or four, was spotted in the Lisbon derby loss to Benfica on Sunday.
His current contract expires in 2027 but SunSport understands he would be interested in a move to the Premier League.
Arsenal have also been linked with Diomande after reportedly having a £30million bid rejected in the summer.
The teenager only made his debut for Sporting in February after a £6.5million move from Danish club Midtjylland.
He played 17 times in all competitions, scoring one goal.
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But Diomande has already doubled his total this season, with two goals in 16 games.
Sporting are currently joint top of the Portuguese league alongside Benfica, with both teams winning nine of their first 11 games.
The two teams played against each other yesterday, with Sporting suffering a 2-1 defeat.
Diomande’s defensive teammate Goncalo Inacio saw red in a heated game.
He has also been linked with a move to the Premier League, with Manchester United reportedly making a bid in January.
