Leeds ready to make 'statement of intent' with club-record Ousmane Diomande transfer
Leeds United have the money to secure a move for Sporting CP centre-back Ousmane Diomande this summer, sources have told Football Insider.
The Whites want to show their "ambition" and force themselves to the front of the queue to sign the 22-year-old, who has been heavily linked with a Premier League move in recent months.
The 49ers are ready to back Daniel Farke in the summer market after a strong end to the Premier League season, and Diomande is a top target for them.
Leeds are viewing their pursuit of the Ivorian as a "statement of intent" ahead of the 2026-27 campaign, and are prepared to break their transfer record to get the deal done.
Their £34million move to sign Georginio Rutter from Hoffenheim is their current record, but any move for Diomande will eclipse that.
The starlet has been a regular in the Champions League for Sporting in recent years, and is currently away at the World Cup with the Ivory Coast.
Leeds readying move for star compared to Marc Guehi
Leeds are the latest Premier League side to be linked with Diomande, but they are far from the first over the last 12 months.
Newcastle were heavily linked with a move to sign him back in January, while Crystal Palace came very close to landing him last summer.
Reports in Portugal suggested that the Eagles had even agreed a fee with Sporting at one stage, as they viewed Diomande as the perfect replacement for Marc Guehi.
Leeds have now come to the fore in recent weeks, as they bid to add even more quality to a centre-back unit that impressed last term.
Diomande has now been at Sporting for the last three-and-a-half seasons, and already has strong experience of two title-winning campaigns.
His performances for the Portuguese giants have seen him emerge on the radar in the Premier League of late, but it is clear that a move for him will not come cheaply.
The defender has a lofty release clause set at £69million, but recent reports have indicated that Leeds could get a deal done for just over £40m.
Ex-scout: Ousmane Diomande 'top of Leeds' list'
Former Manchester United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that Diomande is now "top of the list" for Leeds in terms of their summer targets.
He made it clear that the youngster is "exactly the type of player" they need to be looking at, as he could help them push towards European qualification in the coming years.
Brown suggested that the Ivorian could come into the starting XI in place of Joe Rodon next term, despite the latter's impressive 2025-26 campaign.
Leeds are ready to flex their muscles by making a move for Diomande, and are prepared to commit a sizeable chunk of their summer resources towards him.