Sporting continue profound squad restructure: Ibrahima Ba in, Ousmane Diomande out

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PortuGOAL

·24 Juli 2026

Sporting continue profound squad restructure: Ibrahima Ba in, Ousmane Diomande out

Ibrahima Ba has signed a 5-year contract at Alvalade (Photo: Sporting CP)

The revolving door that has been Sporting’s transfer activity this summer shows no sign of stopping its spinning.

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Famalicão centre-back Ibrahima Ba is the latest newcomer, the Lisbon club paying €21.25 million euros for his signature. Ba’s contract in the Portuguese capital runs until 2031. The Senegalese central defender impressed in the second half of last season, playing a total of 24 times for Famalicão, who finished fifth in the Liga Portugal.

Ba was heavily linked to Benfica earlier in the summer but the move did not materialise, and he was then close to signing for Strasbourg, but the transfer was again aborted. The French club claimed he failed his medical, but his agent gave a different version of events, saying it was a question of disagreement regarding his wages.

“I know wearing the Sporting shirt is a huge responsibility,” said the 21-year-old. “I’m going to keep working hard. I’m ready to leave everything out there on the pitch.

“Sporting are one of the best clubs in the world and I’m happy to wear this shirt. I’d like to thank the president and the staff for the confidence they have shown in me.”

Diomande off to England

The move paves the way for Ousmane Diomande to be sold to Nottingham Forest. The two clubs have been in negotiations this week and the transfer is expected to be announced imminently.

Meanwhile, Ricardo Mangas is also leaving Alvalade. The left-back has been sold to Monza in Italy for a fee of €1.5 million plus €300,000 in potential add-ons.