£30m bid for Diomande drives Forest's defensive overhaul in Portugal

Nottingham Forest have tabled a £30 million bid for 22‑year‑old centre‑back Ousmane Diomande while the squad trains in Portugal for pre‑season, with advanced talks confirming the offer. The club hopes the deal will plug a defensive void left by recent departures and aligns with manager Oliver Glasner's strategic shift.

The signing is intended to fill a defensive gap created by recent departures that have left the back line thin. Forest believes Diomande’s profile matches the attributes sought by Oliver Glasner.

The pursuit has moved beyond vague interest into the serious part of the market, with advanced talks under way and a bid reported at around £30 million. The bid sits around £30 million, reflecting the valuation set by Sporting CP.

Diomande, 22, is a centre‑back for Sporting CP and has been regarded as one of the continent’s better young defenders. Sporting CP have set an asking price between £30 million and £35 million, indicating their valuation of the defender.

Last season he missed roughly half of Sporting’s games due to a muscle injury but still made 31 appearances across all competitions, including 17 league matches. He kept six clean sheets, averaged 4.4 ball recoveries and 3.5 clearances per game, highlighting his involvement and defensive contribution.

Diomande knows Ibrahim Sangare from the Ivory Coast setup, adding familiarity, and he would bring physicality, upside and resale value. His connection with Sangare could aid his adaptation to English football.

If Oliver Glasner wants a defence that can cope one‑v‑one and defend space, this signing matches the brief. Glasner’s plan emphasizes one‑v‑one defending and spatial coverage, qualities Diomande possesses.

Forest are also eyeing Xaver Schlager on a free transfer after his departure from RB Leipzig, and Lucas Bergvall has been discussed, indicating a broader plan to sharpen the squad’s spine early. The interest in Schlager and Bergvall demonstrates Forest’s wider recruitment strategy.

The final hurdle remains the medical assessment, given Diomande’s injury record, and the club must finalize terms before leaving Portugal. Should the medical clear him, Forest expect to announce the signing as a clear statement of intent for the upcoming campaign.