City boss Pep Guardiola has identified Diomande as a priority target to fix his defence. Incoming sporting director Hugo Viana, who currently works at Sporting and will move to the Etihad in the summer, is already working on bringing the 20-year-old with him. City are expected to try and recover some ground with contact in the January transfer window.

Ousmane Diomande has been strongly linked with a move to Manchester City, following his extraordinary form. However, Manchester United has surged ahead in negotiations.

Ousmane Diomande, a talented 20-year-old defender from Sporting Lisbon, is also being considered by Manchester City as a potential addition to their squad. However, he seems to be more inclined towards joining Manchester United.

Hugo Viana, set to take on the role of Manchester City's sporting director in 2025, has identified Ousmane Diomande as a primary transfer target. Diomande, an Ivorian defender, has attracted considerable interest across Europe following his impressive defensive performances and anticipation skills since his 2023 transfer to Sporting CP. Manchester City is keen to acquire his talents to bolster their defense in future seasons, despite competition from Real Madrid and Liverpool.