‘Not Close’ – Quick Crystal Palace Capture Of Newcastle Target Talk Played Down | OneFootball

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Crystal Palace are in talks with Sporting Lisbon for Newcastle United target Ousmane Diomande, but they are not close to completing his capture, despite claims to the contrary.

The 21-year-old centre-back completed his second season with Sporting Lisbon and has featured in 101 games for the Portuguese giants.

A former player for Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim, Diomande has impressed with his performances for the Portuguese outfit and has managed to find himself on the transfer wish list of several Premier League clubs.

Oliver Glasner’s Crystal Palace are one of the admirers of Diomande and adding a centre-back is high on their priority list in this market, especially as they could potentially lose Marc Guehi.

They are facing competition from fellow Premier League outfit Newcastle United, who did try to sign Guehi from the Eagles last summer and want another defender.

Crystal Palace have opened talks with Sporting Lisbon to find a solution to sign the centre-back, who has an £80m release clause in his contract.

It has been said in some quarters that Palace are close to signing him, but according to BBC journalist Sami Mokbel, though talks are happening, a deal being completed is ‘not close’ for now.

Crystal Palace will be looking to make quick progress to take Diomande to Selhurst Park as they will likely be aware there could be other clubs who enter the mix.

Diomande will have seen Palace lift the FA Cup last season to qualify for the Europa League and may be sold on the project the club have to offer.

Glasner’s side want to sign someone with European experience this summer to solidify their defence.

The Sporting Lisbon man played in the Champions League last term, where he came up against Premier League pair Manchester City and Arsenal; he got booked against the Gunners.

Diomande has just two years left on his current deal with Sporting Lisbon and as such, the Portuguese may feel this summer is the moment of his maximum value.