‘Crystal Palace confident of beating Chelsea to Ousmane Diomande deal’
Mick Brown
4 – 5 minutes
Crystal Palace, Oliver Glasner, Ousmane Diomande
Mick Brown
Wed 11 June 2025 8:00, UK
Crystal Palace are confident they can beat the likes of Chelsea and Man United to the signing of Sporting CP star Ousmane Diomande.
That is according to former Man United and Blackburn chief scout Mick Brown, who remains very well-connected within the game, as he exclusively told Football Insider that Oliver Glasner wants to persuade the 21-year-old to join his project.
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This comes amid uncertainty surrounding the future of Marc Guehi, who is set to enter the final year of his contract at Selhurst Park.
Brown told Football Insider in February that Crystal Palace are working to identify Guehi’s replacement, and have established a shortlist of ambitious options.
Diomande is one of the most highly-regarded young defenders in Europe and scouts from a number of elite clubs have been keeping a close eye on his progress.
Football Insider revealed in April that Sporting will accept £50million offers for Diomande amid interest from Aston Villa, Man City, Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea.
Crystal Palace are interested in Ousmane Diomande. (Credit: Getty Images)
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Crystal Palace move ahead in Ousmane Diomande pursuit
Following their FA Cup victory and subsequent qualification for the Europa League, Glasner’s side are prepared to go toe-to-toe with top clubs in the transfer market.
Brown, who has a wealth of experience in top-level player recruitment after over a decade at Man United during their most successful period, has insisted Crystal Palace are confident they can pull off their ambitious move for Diomande.
“Crystal Palace are confident they can sign these big-name players,” he told Football Insider.
“If they believe the player is the type they want to add to their squad, they have no reason not to believe they can get it done.
“It’s similar to what they did with Lacroix, they weren’t the only ones interested.
“The manager has a lot to do with it, he can convince them of the project and what he’s trying to build, and now he has evidence of that with the FA Cup.
“If they’re going to lose Guehi, they think Diomande would be an ideal replacement.
“I’ve heard his name mentioned with the likes of Man United, Chelsea, Liverpool, and he’s clearly a very talented player with a lot of ability.
“Palace scouts have been watching him both in the league and in Europe and they’ve been impressed.
“If they can convince him to make the move, especially with European football now, it will be seen as a huge coup for them.
“But as I say, they’re confident and have no reason to believe they can’t bring him in.”
Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner
Oliver Glasner is preparing for a busy transfer window. (Credit: Hasan Karim, Breaking Media)
Eberechi Eze update emerges amid Bayern Munich interest
While Palace continue to put plans in place for an ambitious summer transfer window, they are also at risk of losing some of their key players.
Brown told Football Insider on 31 May that Bayern Munich are interested in Eberechi Eze and could set up a reuinion with former Palace star Michael Olise.
Eze and Olise share a close friendship after their time together at Selhurst Park, and it has been suggested the latter could sell the idea of a move to his former teammate.
The England international and FA Cup-winning-goal scorer has a £68million release clause in his contract, which has put a number of top clubs on alert.
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