Forest close in on Ivory Coast defender Diomande

What the report says

BBC Sport Football reports that Nottingham Forest are nearing an agreement to sign Sporting Lisbon central defender Ousmane Diomande. The outlet says talks have moved forward in recent days and are now at an advanced stage, although a final deal has not yet been completed between the clubs.

Diomande, 22, is described by the BBC as an important target for new Forest manager Oliver Glasner. The report says Glasner has long admired the Ivory Coast international and previously attempted to bring him to Crystal Palace. Forest are said to be trying to negotiate below the defender’s £68.2m release clause.

The player has already made more than 150 senior club appearances and has 15 caps for Ivory Coast, according to the BBC. The article also notes that he helped his country reach the World Cup knockout stages for the first time. Diomande currently plays for Sporting Lisbon, one of Portugal’s leading clubs, and would add another young international defender to Forest’s squad if the transfer is completed.

The potential move matters because it would represent an early and significant recruitment push under Glasner at Nottingham Forest. No transfer fee, contract length or medical timeline has been confirmed in the BBC report, and the deal remains subject to a final agreement.