One of the more surprising transfer stories of the summer has emerged, with Fabrizio Romano reporting that Nottingham Forest are in advanced talks to sign Sporting CP defender Ousmane Diomande.
According to Romano, Forest’s proposal is expected to be worth around €40 million (£34.1 million) including add-ons—well below Diomande’s reported €80 million (£68.2 million) release clause.
If those figures are accurate, it raises an obvious question for Liverpool supporters:
Why aren’t Liverpool trying to sign him?
A Defender Liverpool Have Admired
Liverpool have been linked with Diomande on several occasions over the past year.
The Ivory Coast international has built a reputation as one of Europe’s most promising young centre-backs thanks to his:
● Physical strength.
● Recovery pace.
● Aggressive defending.
● Composure on the ball.
● Ability to defend large spaces.
Those are exactly the qualities Andoni Iraola demands from his central defenders.
£34 Million Looks Like Outstanding Value
The reported fee is perhaps the most eye-catching aspect of the story.
At £34 million, Diomande suddenly looks like one of the bargains of the summer.
Modern centre-backs with his age profile and potential often command fees well in excess of £50-60 million.
If Nottingham Forest can genuinely complete the deal for almost half of his reported release clause, it would represent outstanding business.
It also naturally leads Liverpool supporters to wonder whether the Reds should be making a move themselves.
Liverpool Already Have Young Options…
To be fair, Liverpool have already invested heavily in young defenders.
Jeremy Jacquet and Giovanni Leoni are viewed internally as two of Europe’s brightest prospects, while Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez provide valuable experience.
That may explain why Liverpool have chosen not to enter the race.
The club may simply believe their current defensive options are strong enough.
…But Competition Is Never a Bad Thing
At the same time, elite clubs rarely stop improving.
Diomande has already shown he can perform at Champions League level and, at just 22, still has enormous room for development.
For the reported fee, he could easily become one of the Premier League’s outstanding defenders over the next few years.
If Liverpool truly admired him in the past, watching him potentially join another English club for £34 million could become frustrating.
A Chance Missed?
Supporters will have different opinions.
Some will argue Liverpool already have enough centre-backs.
Others will feel this represents exactly the kind of market opportunity Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes have built their reputations on identifying.
Personally, if the reported figures are accurate, it is difficult not to feel Liverpool should at least have explored the possibility.
Players with Diomande’s profile rarely become available at that price.
Time Will Tell
For now, nothing has been completed.
Nottingham Forest still need to finalise an agreement with Sporting.
But if the deal goes through for around £34 million, many Liverpool supporters may look back and wonder whether the Reds missed an excellent opportunity to strengthen their defence.
Sometimes the best signings are not the most expensive.
They are the ones that represent exceptional value.
And if Fabrizio Romano’s figures are correct, Ousmane Diomande may prove to be exactly that.
Source: @FabrizioRomano
Jamie (The Kopite View)
Leave a Reply