Leeds plan to replace Joe Rodon with £69m centre-back now 'top of their list'

Leeds United are lining up a move to sign Sporting CP star Ousmane Diomande in a move which could see him replace Joe Rodon.

Rodon, 28, has been Daniel Farke's star defender since his arrival at the club, but there are concerns about how far he can take them if they do not land an upgrade.

While it is unliely the Wales international will be pushed out of Elland Road, he could gradually be replaced in the starting XI with major changes set to take place.

Former Man United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that signing Diomande would be a "huge" deal for Leeds as they aim to overhaul their squad.

Rodon could be the first casualty of that overhaul, while there are also question marks about the futures of Leeds other defensive options.

Meanwhile, Diomande's release clause at Sporting CP is a massive £69million, and Leeds are considerd unlikely to do a deal unless they can knock his price down.

Could Leeds United sign Ousmane Diomande?

Football Insider reported on 10 June that Leeds would view Diomande as a significant upgrade on a number of their current options following reports of an official bid.

While those reports are believed to be wide of the mark as things stand, he has moved to the top of Farke's shortlist as he lines up a busy summer at Elland Road.

Pulling off a big-money deal for Diomande would almost certaintly mean another player would be moved on, and while Rodon is unlikely to leave, he could be replaced.

"Diomande is exactly the type of player Leeds have to be looking at, and he is at the top of their list" Brown told Football Insider.

"When you look at their squad, they're missing a real outstanding player who you think is going to take them to the next level.

"It's fair to say their best player over the last couple of years has been Joe Rodon, since he joined the club he has been excellent and been a big part of their success.

"But lets say he went somewhere else, would he improve a Premier League team and help them make that next step to qualify for Europe?

"I don't think so, but by all accounts, Diomande is that type of player so if he was to come into this Leeds team, he could replace Rodon or any member of that back line.

"It's something they have to do gradually, bring these big players in to displace the ones they've currently got who have served them well but won't help them take the next step."

Which other clubs are interested in signing Diomande?

Leeds are far from the only Premier League club to have been watching Diomande over the last couple of years, and he remains very highly regarded.

Chelsea were previously linked with a move, while Newcastle have also scouted him, and Crystal Palace saw official talks fall through after being quoted £80m last summer.

More recently, Football Insider exclusively revealed on 20 May that Bournemouth are plotting an ambitious move to sign Diomande in this transfer window.

This comes after Marcos Senesi's move to Tottenham was confirmed, leaving the Cherries searching for a replacement, and the Sporting star is high on the list.

After they qualified for next season's Europa League, Bournemouth are planning to be ambitious with their summer signings, and could rival Leeds for Diomande.