Why Nottingham Forest's Ousmane Diomande deal may still be alive

Nottingham Forest's deal with Sporting CP to sign Ousmane Diomande has collapsed, but there is a reason for the club to keep hope.

Reports emerged this week that talks had broken down completely, with the Portuguese club unwilling to budge on their £34million valuation.

The 22-year-old is a top target for Oliver Glasner this summer has he looks to shore up the Nottingham Forest defence, and failure to get a deal done would be hugely disappointing.

However, Sporting have form for this type of negotiating tactic, and may well be deploying a last push to get all they can for Diomande.

Several times has club president Frederico Varandas been seen to engage in a similar tactic, and it usually gets the club what they want.

It remains to be seen whether Nottingham Forest will relinquish and give in to Sporting's demands, but talks are likely ongoing.

Sporting CP have prior for seemingly cancelling moves

In January 2023, Tottenham were closing in on a move for Sporting right-back Pedro Porro.

Talks were advanced and an agreement was getting closer and closer, with the Portuguese side even lining up a move for Hector Bellerin as his replacement.

The right-back had a £39m release clause, but Tottenham were reluctant to pay it in one go and were close to a compromise, when all of a sudden, president Varandas told Porro that he would not be moving.

Sporting had ended negotiations and reneged on the terms that had been agreed, with the North London club seemingly forced to look elsewhere.

However, hours later, the deal was back on and Tottenham had agreed to pay £40m instead, in the form of a loan with an obligation to buy.

A similar chain of events happened as Arsenal attempted to sign Viktor Gyokeres last summer, with a deal eventually done for up to £64m.

Nottingham Forest must remain calm

Diomande made just 31 across all competitions for Sporting last season and was often left on the bench.

From the selling club's perspective, a sale this summer may well be the best outcome.

With that in mind, it is unlikely that this week's supposed collapse in talks is anything more than mere posturing, as the best deal is pursued.

Nottingham Forest can expect to re-enter talks for Diomande in the coming days, with an agreement eventually to be found.