Credit: Imago

Pete O'Rourke, Transfer Correspondent

Wed 20 May 2026 17:25, UK

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Bournemouth are eyeing an ambitious move for Sporting CP star Ousmane Diomande, sources have told Football Insider.

The 22-year-old centre-back is viewed as a replacement for Marcos Senesi, who is set to depart at the end of the campaign when his contract expires.

Bournemouth are pursuing a new centre-back to fill the void that will be left by the Argentina international’s departure.

On Tuesday, it was confirmed that the Cherries would be playing European football next season, and they are now ready to join the race for Diomande.

The Ivory Coast international has played 17 matches in Liga Portugal this season and could now be part of a new-look Bournemouth backline.

How good is Ousmane Diomande?

Diomande joined Sporting in 2023 and has quickly established himself as a key player.

In his three seasons at the capital club, he has won the Primeira Liga twice and the Taca de Portugal once.

His form saw him selected in the Liga Portugal’s Team of the Season for both the 2023-24 and the 2024-25 campaign.

While the 2025-26 season was plagued by injuries, he managed to play a key part in Sporting’s Champions League campaign, where the club reached the quarter-finals before they were narrowly knocked out by Arsenal.

On top of this, many of his stats in Liga Portugal this season are excellent.

The next incredible chapter of this football club is written ❤️

We’ll be in Europe for the first time in our 127-year history next season 🌎

On to Sunday for one final push to find out which competition 💪 pic.twitter.com/BSNmpgTtGU

— AFC Bournemouth 🍒 (@afcbournemouth) May 19, 2026

According to Fotmob on 20 May, he is averaging a 93.1 per cent passing completion rate, 57.4 per cent aerial duels won, 0.90 interceptions, and 0.42 clean sheets per 90 minutes.

Therefore, if Bournemouth were to pull off the transfer, it could be quite the coup.

Who else could Bournemouth side this summer?

Football Insider has exclusively revealed that Bournemouth are chasing Queens Park Rangers striker Rumarn Burrell.

The forward has caught the eye of the Cherries after he netted 10 times and picked up three assists for the London club.

Wolves and Sunderland are also keeping tabs on Burrell, who arrived at QPR from Burton Albion last summer.

All three clubs are admirers of Burrell, who is now back to full fitness after recovering from a hamstring injury that kept him out for almost three months.

However, it remains to be seen if Bournemouth will secure the signing of the attacker or if he will move elsewhere in the upcoming summer transfer window.