The Sun are reporting today that Newcastle may well splash the cash in January and are looking seriously at Sporting Lisbon defender (center-back) Ousmane Diomande.
The 19-year-old 6ft 3ins center-back already has one cap for the Ivory Coast and looks like a great player in the making.
The Newcastle scouts have been watching the young defender several times this season and are said to be very impressed.
The Sun reports that the latest scouting trip came only last weekend when Sporting were beaten 2-1 by Benfica.
The young Diomande played the whole game and has played 16 times this season for Sporting Lisbon with two goals.
He was transferred from Danish club Midtjylland to Sporting Lisbon on 31st January 2023, for a fee of €7.5M (£6.5M), and signed a four-year contract until 2027.
So if a deal can be made with Sporting in January, the famous Portuguese club stand to make an enormous profit on the player.
Since making his debut for Sporting back in February of this year he has been a regular starter with 33 goals, 3 goals, and one assist.
He played the full game last weekend against Benfica.
However, TEAMtalk has reported that Sporting will not entertain a January sale for their top teenager, and have a release clause of something like £70M in his contract.
That’s for a player they signed for £6.5M only 10 months ago?
Newcastle presumably would need to pay the full release clause to get him in January, but they will not do that.
What Newcastle will probably so is propose a well-structured deal where they pay a lot of monetary add-ons depending on how Diomande does on Tyneside.
Both Arsenal and Chelsea have shown interest in Diomande, with reports the Gunners have already spoken with his agents at Prospect Global. about a possible move to the Emirates.
The best chance Newcastle could have is to try to sign him in January since Arsenal are only looking at a move this summer for the talented Ivory Coast International.
As for his International career Wikipedia reports that Diomande was called up to the Ivory Coast national team for a set of 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualification matches in September 2023, and he made his debut in a 1–0 win over Lesotho on 9 September 2023.
This lad looks like a future star, and since we have only recently been linked with an interest in 21-year-old Everton center-back Jarrad Branthwaite, we are certainly looking at some top young central defenders.
And that’s exactly how it should be.
What do you think about this?
96 comments so far
Raj of Hailsley
Nov 14, 2023 at 4:50 PM
Comment #41EGB,
Aye, that’ll do for me.
Raj of Hailsley
Nov 14, 2023 at 4:52 PM
Comment #42I’m not sure on this Branthwaite, seems a canny player but he’s on a lengthy deal, Everton are going to want about £40M+ for him and surely there’s better value for money out there.
ToonDarnSarf
Nov 14, 2023 at 4:58 PM
Comment #43Regan – that’s fine if you choose that. I’m not going to use this forum to sell the use of Discord but I really don’t see it as very different to here, with several advantages. Hopefully you change your mind and give it a try when this blog eventually comes to an end but hopefully that’s a long time away too.
lochinvar
Nov 14, 2023 at 5:01 PM
Comment #44If we had signed James Madison imagine how long our injury list would be.
See Abramovic has been linked with deals paying £26million into Putin’s cronies coffers.
That should mean points deductions for Chelsea now. And Everton when the FA get round to it. Surely they don’t want any bad thoughts hanging around why they don’t get on with such matters.
magicmac54
Nov 14, 2023 at 5:03 PM
Comment #45Evening Folks
It`s a huge yes from me to give Emil Krafth a contract extension, the lad is a really versatile and a competent defender, not to mention a first class model professional!! And even though Lascelles has been excellent deputising for botman recently, i still think Krafth is a more assured allround defender than Lascelles, but both lads are really quality squad members.
HWTL
lochinvar
Nov 14, 2023 at 5:04 PM
Comment #46John J’s on a sabbatical ?
How did that happen.
He’s been a regular here for years with great posts and some musical notes.
Whoever’s been on the naughty step needs to stay there and not pollute the water.
magicmac54
Nov 14, 2023 at 5:14 PM
Comment #47John J
Sorry to see you have decided to take leave of absence at the moment my friend, i hope it`s only a temporary break and you return in the very near future mate. Take care and God Bless.
Raj of Hailsley
Nov 14, 2023 at 5:16 PM
Comment #48lochinvar,
He’s never had a cross word with anyone yet this troll has targeted him for some reason, some people take as water off a ducks back but he’s from a generation where stuff like that is uncomprehendable and it’sclearly upset him, no foo#in need for it at all. There’s nothing we can do about it bar completely ignoring it, no ‘clever witty’ comebacks or telling it what a creep it is, the only way is to blank it.
Raj of Hailsley
Nov 14, 2023 at 5:28 PM
Comment #49*Incomprehensible, knew that didn’t look right 😕
ToonDarnSarf
Nov 14, 2023 at 5:36 PM
Comment #50The problem with giving a contract extension to someone like Krafth is that he will take up a squad place too. So the question has to be, which players would we be ok to drop from the squad next summer? I think Anderson might need to be added to the PL squad if we want to play him, so will Tino.
Sure, we can easily trim one of the 4 keepers and maybe Ritchie, Dummett, and Manq will move on but that only gives us 1 free spot for a signing who doesn’t count as U21.
Before too long, we’ll be selling one of our bigger names and signing someone better.
onmeedsun
Nov 14, 2023 at 5:39 PM
Comment #51Has anyone every tried migrating away from virgin media to BT. Broadband, landline and TV. Oh and you lose your VM email address. But after 2 days of phone calls to far off service centres, I’m taking the leap of faith after 30 years of being with Virgin. The whole process is anti competitive, but I’m retired now so this is my new project!
Flurzinho
Nov 14, 2023 at 5:39 PM
Comment #52Players like Krafth,Dummett etc,contracts should be 1 year extensions only.
We need to move on,even though they are top pros.
magicmac54
Nov 14, 2023 at 5:41 PM
Comment #53In the absence of premier league football, i give you highlights of Sundays FAI cup final in the Aviva stadium, a Dublin derby Bohemians v St Patricks Athletic
https://youtu.be/H9IdyAPKAvM?si=FtWRRF_UjOvAT8d-
ToonDarnSarf
Nov 14, 2023 at 5:42 PM
Comment #54onmeedsun – Virgin provide a great broadband service when it works but leaving them is a nightmare. Did it myself when moving house last time.
onmeedsun
Nov 14, 2023 at 5:45 PM
Comment #55If funds were tight in the summer, I struggle to see how anything can have improved significantly from an FFP perspective to allow us to acquire players in Jan for fees. Couple of loans perhaps, but that will be all. I think the initial wriggle room they had post takeover due to Ashley’s parsimony is used up. Will need another uptick in revenues and/or another player sale to create more headroom. So important that expectations are managed in Jan. just because we’ve got horrendous injuries doesn’t mean FFP goes away.
Oh, and I like the fact that Eddie in his recent comments is only focusing on the players that are available to him, as they are all good enough. Very important psychology that.
onmeedsun
Nov 14, 2023 at 5:48 PM
Comment #56TDS
Yes VM have great speeds, but they don’t think they need to work hard to keep customers because of that edge they have with cable. You end up with a very complacent business. Anyway, they are losing me. I can get full fibre with BT where I live which should be ok as it’s just me, the missus and 2 dogs now at home.
magicmac54
Nov 14, 2023 at 5:48 PM
Comment #57Onmeedsun
Evening mate, i had no comprehension you were still a virgin for the last 30 years 😀 😀 Every day really is a school day 😀
A Geordie Mongrel
Nov 14, 2023 at 5:50 PM
Comment #58Onmeedsun, when I left BT I was able to keep my email address. I have to pay a monthly payment, Virgin may offer something similar.
magicmac54
Nov 14, 2023 at 5:50 PM
Comment #59Onmeedsun
Have you just retired very recently mate?
magicmac54
Nov 14, 2023 at 5:55 PM
Comment #60I`m with plusnet broadband, anyone on the blog with plusnet?
Raj of Hailsley
Nov 14, 2023 at 6:00 PM
Comment #61onmeedsun,
I’m kind of stuck with VM, I paved over my BT line about five years ago, I need to lift the paving and find the cable to get BT 😀
Munster Mag
Nov 14, 2023 at 6:00 PM
Comment #62Shocking to see JohnJ go. I hope the troll is pleased he got rid of one of the nicest guys on here.
Raj of Hailsley
Nov 14, 2023 at 6:00 PM
Comment #63That VM WiFi keeps dropping out all of the time.
onmeedsun
Nov 14, 2023 at 6:04 PM
Comment #64Magic
Amazing isn’t it, still a Virgin after 35 years of marriage but with 3 kids. Immaculate conception and all that. Perhaps I am the second coming!
Munster Mag
Nov 14, 2023 at 6:07 PM
Comment #65Sky box was faulty for months so Sky came and gave us Sky Q. Despite having decent broadband Sky Q just doesn’t work here, so we may be going to Virgin. Or just the Firestick and stuff them.
Regan
Nov 14, 2023 at 6:08 PM
Comment #66Quick one while I’m about..
Anyone using firestick and thinking of changing broadband.. I changed to vodaphone web thing..
never had any problems and they don’t block any streams from the football.. unlike some..
magicmac54
Nov 14, 2023 at 6:15 PM
Comment #67Onmeedsun
The immaculate conception 😀 😀 😀 quality reply mate, still laughing here 😀
ottawageordie2
Nov 14, 2023 at 6:25 PM
Comment #68Anything happening on any disciplinary action against Arteta and Arsenal? If it was us they would have taken action immediately.
magicmac54
Nov 14, 2023 at 6:31 PM
Comment #69Munster Mag
I had sky years ago when it first came into operation, and it was brilliant at first until they got sheer greedy with their pricing then pulled the plug, my system now is not firestick, but basically the same principle, but with vpn, millions of people dispensed with sky when the got selfish and tried to basically fleece the public.
onmeedsun
Nov 14, 2023 at 6:34 PM
Comment #70Magic
The think with immaculate conception is it’s not much fun! I really think Joseph and Mary missed out there!
onmeedsun
Nov 14, 2023 at 6:40 PM
Comment #71Magic
Yes fully retired 2 years ago.
Been going to plenty of matches at SJP as luckily I held on to my season ticket in the period of darkness. Housebound at present as we have a new puppy to train up. Cavalier King Charles, ruby colour. My next matches are Milan and Fulham in December. Last season was the best ever for me in over 20 years since I got a season ticket. This one is proving more difficult but only really due to the injuries. So I think we are going to see more bad runs this season. But perhaps we can make another final. I’d take that now and not qualify for Europe. Then go for it next season. I just hope these injuries are one offs and not repeated too often.
Raj of Hailsley
Nov 14, 2023 at 6:41 PM
Comment #72onmeedsun,
You’re not looking to sell your Chemsea ticket are you 😀
A Geordie Mongrel
Nov 14, 2023 at 6:46 PM
Comment #73A canny article in the Chronicle, Newcastle vote fears assessed as Man Utd move offers hint into possible outcome
https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/newcastle-transfer-vote-fears-assessed-28103500#ICID=Android_ChronicleNewsApp_AppShare
RUNAWAY777
Nov 14, 2023 at 6:46 PM
Comment #74Maybe one day we will just go out and sign a few young ones with out put there names out there for the rest of the league too see who where going after ffs
The Mighty Quinn
Nov 14, 2023 at 6:47 PM
Comment #75“And I like it, I like it, I like it, I like it I li-li-like it, li-li-li Here we gooooo EDDIE HOWE and JASON TINDALL.”
Certain Toon
Nov 14, 2023 at 6:49 PM
Comment #76Rotunda the Neanderthal will be the expert on virgin media
Certain Toon
Nov 14, 2023 at 6:50 PM
Comment #77@ #37
Regan the Vegan turning to cannibalism and eating 200 Bellies.
“Chewing the fat”
😀
Raj of Hailsley
Nov 14, 2023 at 6:55 PM
Comment #78onmeedsun,
Seriously, if your Cheksea ticket isn’t getting used I’ll buy it off you 🙂
magicmac54
Nov 14, 2023 at 6:56 PM
Comment #79Onmeedsun
Somehow i get the impression you never missed out on some fun along the way, i doubt very much you followed the tried and trusted route of Joseph and Mary 😀 😀
Raj of Hailsley
Nov 14, 2023 at 6:58 PM
Comment #80I’m actually desperate for a Cheksea ticket now 🙁