Report: Liverpool now in first place to complete €80M summer signing

Last week, reports from Portuguese news outlet Jornal de Noticias' claimed that Ruben Amorim, the frontrunner to replace Jurgen Klopp, wants to bring Goncalo Inacio and Ousmane Diomande to Anfield with him.

FSG would need to sanction around €140 million (£120M) in transfer fees to sign both centre-backs.

The latest report from Jornal de Noticias, via Paisley Gates, claims that Liverpool are "at the front" of the queue to sign 20-year-old Diomande in the summer.

Newcastle United are also intensifying their scrutiny of the 20-year-old centre-back.

While Diomande's contract, which includes a hefty €80 million (£68.5M) release clause, still has substantial time to run, this figure seemingly hasn't deterred interest from English sides, with Arsenal and Chelsea also monitoring the situation.

The speculation is that Liverpool's interest in Diomande may well be influenced by their consideration of Amorim as a managerial option.

Should Amorim join Liverpool, it's anticipated that this could hasten Diomande's potential move to Anfield.

Ousmane Diomande would be an incredible Premier League defender

Diomande's attributes suggest he could transition into an incredible player in the Premier League.

He possesses all the essential tools - pace, power, strength, technical prowess, and exceptional aerial ability.

As a young player, he embodies the ideal blend of raw talent and potential, which is highly sought after in the English top flight.

During the current campaign, Diomande has made 22 league appearances for Sporting CP, contributing to 8 clean sheets, scoring three goals, and providing an assist.

Although his participation in the African Cup of Nations was limited, he remains an integral part of Amorim's defensive setup, with Sporting poised to clinch the Portuguese league title.

As clubs like Liverpool keep a close watch, Diomande's valuation doesn't seem to be a stumbling block, highlighting the significant interest in his developing talent.

It's clear that he's considered not just a valuable asset for Sporting but potentially a major coup for any Premier League team looking to bolster their defence with a player who has the makings of a top-flight standout.