As he looks to send an instant statement of intent, incoming sporting director Hugo Viana reportedly wants to bring one particular reinforcement from Sporting Club with him to Manchester City.
Viana plotting first Sporting raid for Man City
Viana has quite the task on his hands in his first summer as Manchester City’s sporting director but, as ever at the Etihad, won’t be without money to spend. Pep Guardiola’s side are in need of a major rebuild for the first time since his first campaign in charge and whilst City already commenced that rebuild in January, there remains work to be done.
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The Citizens currently sit as low as fifth, which could yet be enough to secure a Champions League place in the Premier League. That qualification would not hide what has been a disastrous campaign for the Premier League champions, however, who have never finished outside of the top four under Guardiola.
It therefore comes as no suprise that change is reportedly on the horizon. Players like Kevin de Bruyne, Ederson and Bernardo Silva could be heading for the exit door, as Viana looks to make room for much-needed reinforcements. And that could yet feature the arrival of one Sporting star.
According to The Boot Room, Viana now wants to bring Ousmane Diomande to Manchester City in his first raid on current club Sporting to welcome a player that Etihad chiefs love. The central defender reportedly has a release clause as high as £67m, but will be available at a discounted price of £50m this summer.
It’s a discount that City’s new sporting director will, of course, be well aware of and he could yet use his heavy Sporting links to sign the central defender for his new side ahead of Tottenham Hotspur, Liverpool and Chelsea. A rising star, Diomande could complete the defensive rebuild that City got underway in January.
“Complete” Diomande could partner Khusanov
Whilst Nathan Ake, Ruben Dias, John Stones and Manuel Akanji have all struggled with injuries this season, January arrival Abdukodir Khusanov has emerged from a debut to forget to solidify his place in Guardiola’s side. The 21-year-old is the present and future of City’s backline, which could yet feature a dominant partnership if Diomande arrives.
Described as a defender with an “incredibly complete” profile alongside Antonio Silva by football talent scout Jacek Kulig last March, Diomande’s rise has only continued at Sporting ever since. Still just 21 years old, the Ivory Coast star could join Manchester City and form a quartet of young centre-backs with Khusanov, Juma Bah and Vitor Reis.
From an ageing backline, Guardiola may have a wealth of rising stars to choose from by the time that next season gets underway. If there are any concerns that Diomande wouldn’t be ready to make his mark too, then Khusanov’s recent rise should quickly put those to bed.
