Key Points
- Leeds United’s Pursuit Ends: Leeds United’s interest in Sporting CP centre-back Ousmane Diomande has effectively cooled following their recent capture of defender Tarik Muharemovic from Sassuolo.
- Nottingham Forest in Advanced Talks: Transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano reports that Nottingham Forest have entered advanced negotiations with Sporting CP to secure the Ivorian international’s signature.
- Structural Defensive Reshuffle at Elland Road: Following Pascal Struijk’s departure to Brighton & Hove Albion, Leeds secured Muharemovic to plug the gap, shifting manager Daniel Farke’s recruitment priorities toward full-backs and attacking options like Harry Wilson.
- Substantial Valuation: Nottingham Forest have reportedly submitted an opening offer of €40 million plus €5 million in add-ons, though Sporting CP continue to hold out for a figure closer to €50 million.
Leeds United (The Leeds Times) July 23, 2026 —Leeds United have stepped back from their pursuit of Sporting CP defender Ousmane Diomande, effectively clearing the path for Nottingham Forest to complete a deal for the highly rated Ivory Coast international.
As reported by Beren Cross and the sports desk at Leeds Live, the West Yorkshire club had actively explored the possibility of signing Diomande last month as part of a defensive overhaul.
However, the decision was taken at Elland Road not to submit a formal bid for the 22-year-old centre-back, whose market valuation stands in excess of €40 million.
The primary catalyst for this operational pivot is Leeds United’s successful acquisition of Bosnian international centre-back Tarik Muharemovic from Italian side Sassuolo.
Muharemovic’s arrival last week brought clarity to Daniel Farke’s defensive line following the high-profile departure of former club captain Pascal Struijk, who completed a move to Premier League outfit Brighton & Hove Albion last month.
According to reporting from Leeds Live, the board and coaching staff believe Muharemovic fully satisfies the tactical specifications required by Farke.
Consequently, the expenditure on Muharemovic signals the end of Leeds’ market search for a big-money marquee centre-back during the current transfer window.
Are Nottingham Forest in pole position to secure the defender?
With Leeds United stepping aside, Nottingham Forest have aggressively moved into pole position to bring Diomande to the Premier League.
Writing via his verified channels, football journalist Fabrizio Romano reported that Nottingham Forest are now in “advanced talks” with Sporting CP to finalize terms for the defender.
Romano added that Diomande appears increasingly destined to feature in English football’s top flight ahead of the upcoming campaign.
Supplementary transfer reporting from Crypto Briefing indicates that Nottingham Forest have presented a formal proposal of €40 million upfront, supplemented by €5 million in performance-related add-ons.
While Sporting CP originally pointed interested suitors toward the defender’s €80 million release clause—established during his contract extension through June 2030 signed on January 23, 2026—the Portuguese club is understood to be open to a sale should a guaranteed figure near €50 million be reached.
What is the background of this particular development?
The central defender landscape at Elland Road has undergone rapid restructuring over the past month. The sale of Pascal Struijk to Brighton & Hove Albion created an immediate, high-priority void in Daniel Farke’s defensive setup. Leeds United scouts initially compiled a shortlist of elite European central defenders, with Diomande features prominent among them alongside options from mainland Europe.
Diomande, who won the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations with Ivory Coast and established himself as a primary fixture in Sporting CP’s backline after arriving from Midtjylland in January 2023, represented an ambitious, top-tier option.
However, the overall financial package required—combined with competition from top-tier Premier League clubs such as Nottingham Forest—prompted Leeds United to evaluate alternative targets.
The signing of Tarik Muharemovic from Sassuolo ultimately resolved the core requirement of Farke’s defensive rebuilding plan.
With Muharemovic locked in on a long-term deal, Leeds executive leadership resolved that remaining transfer budgets should be allocated toward dynamic squad depth—specifically a versatile full-back capable of operating across central positions—alongside offensive additions like Welsh international Harry Wilson.
What is the prediction for how this development affects the audience?
This transfer pivot carries direct tactical and operational consequences for both sets of supporters moving into the new campaign:
- For Leeds United Supporters: Fans can expect a shift in the club’s remaining transfer window activity. Rather than pursuing single high-value defensive deals, the hierarchy will focus on squad balance and positional depth. Muharemovic is set to be thrust immediately into a starting role, while recruitment efforts pivot toward full-back coverage and supporting attacking roles under Daniel Farke.
- For Nottingham Forest Supporters: Securing a defender of Diomande’s pedigree represents a significant statement of intent. The 22-year-old offers elite physical presence, composure in build-up play, and UEFA Champions League experience. His arrival will reinforce Forest’s defensive unit, providing manager Nuno Espírito Santo with a high-ceiling asset capable of competing at the highest level of English football.
