Sources: Ousmane Diomande agrees Nottingham Forest terms

Nottingham Forest are expected to complete the signing of Sporting CP star Ousmane Diomande in the coming hours, sources have told Football Insider.

The 22-year-old has agreed personal terms with the Premier League club, who are in the final stages of finalising a deal with the Portugese outfit.

It is expected that the centre-back will cost £34.3million as Oliver Glasner looks to bolster his backline.

Sporting are already in talks of their own to agree a deal for the defender's replacement, paving the way for a full agreement with Evangelos Marinakis' club.

Forest have been heavily linked with Diomande for months after an impressive season in Liga Portugal.

Now, he could potentially face Sporting CP in Forest’s upcoming friendly on Friday if the formalities of the move can be tied up this week.

Diomande could now become Forest’s second major signing of the summer after previously bringing in Xaver Schlager on a free transfer.

Forest pull off Diomande coup

The signing of Diomande would be a genuine statement by Forest.

After a poor 2025-26 campaign which saw the club go through four managers fighting relegation, it is clear that the Tricky Trees are looking to avoid this fate.

Diomande has been highly impressive in Portugal for years and has helped oversee a real golden period at Sporting CP.

Therefore, if they are able to confirm the signing in the coming weeks, it should tighten up their backline ahead of the 2026-27 campaign.

As a result, Forest could then shoot up the table and away from the relegation zone, and possibly be competing for Europe once again if more signings follow the defender through the door.

Who else are Nottingham Forest looking to sign this summer?

Nottingham Forest have also been linked with Liam Delap in recent days.

The striker was a big flop at Chelsea during his first season at the club, where he only scored one goal.

However, Forest could now make a move for the 23-year-old as they look to bolster their attacker ahead of the new season.

Previously, Delap was a huge hit at Ipswich Town, where he scored 13 goals as they got relegated from the Premier League.

However, it remains to be seen if Glasner can rekindle this form if he is to bring the striker to the City Ground this summer.