by Sporting have agreed a deal with Midland for the 19-year-old centre-back and are paying €7.5m in cash and €5m in goals. The Ivorian could be the most expensive defender in the history of the Lions, surpassing St. Petersburg’s €12 million. Exhibition. Amorim asked for a contract and the athlete did not play in Mafra on Sunday. He saved himself in the wings to have the center.
Diomande will be a Sporting player in a very short time. O JOGO understands that the 19-year-old centre-back, on loan to Mafra from Midland, will be a boost in the January transfer window and that Sporting will pay €12.5m for his services. The Lions will put up €7.5m, adding another €5m in goals and leaving 20% of the Danish club’s future capital. Therefore, and if he achieves the set goals, the central can become the most expensive defender in the history of the lions, surpassing St. Juste, who was hired for 12 million in 2022 (9.5 as initial budget and 2.5 in goals).
Diomandé was an express request from Rúben Amorim, who showed how important it was to acquire another player for the defensive axis and SAD leonina agreed to increase the initial offer of €7 million, accepting the amount above €12 million that Midtjylland, then opponents in the Europa League, are wanted. Despite relying on Diomandé for the first team next season, the Danish emblem was sensitive to the player’s will and the attractive leonine proposal. Negotiations progressed in the last week, but yesterday they learned important news and, as a result, the athlete did not even participate in the Mafra match with Oliveirense, favorable to Azeméis 3-2. The president of the II Liga emblem explained how the player was in transfer.
“The absence [do jogo] it was due to a precaution to prevent some bad luck from spoiling the deal. It’s an unusual move to Ligue 2, with Mafra being the club that acted as a springboard for a player who in my opinion plays for any club in the world. I’m happy for him and for the people of Midland, who are good people who want to help us,” Jose Cristo said.
The player can be made official today by Sporting, who channeled a significant chunk of the money they were supposed to receive for Porros. Amorim favored the central position and, at this stage, it will be difficult to invest much in a right-back. Lambtey, as reported by O JOGO, dropped out of the plans because Brighton demanded at least €10m and Milan van Eyck, from Heerenfen, was also valued at €10m, there was the possibility of dropping to €7m, however the team matched €13m for Sarr’s sale to Lyon and are more comfortable financially.
Technical director Ferri de Haan has confirmed that the right-back is not leaving. “If the door is closed? No doubt. I’ve been in contact with the player and his agents and there are people interested, but nothing concrete,” he explained to ESPN.
Bellerín has also been mentioned and is an attractive and low-cost target as Barcelona look to save on wages.
