Liverpool keen on Sporting star as Guehi alternative

Soccer Football – Primeira Liga – Sporting CP v Benfica – Estadio Jose Alvalade, Lisbon, Portugal – May 21, 2023 Sporting CP's Ousmane Diomande celebrates scoring their second goal REUTERS/Rodrigo Antunes

Liverpool are interested in signing Sporting Lisbon defender Ousmane Diomande. The Ivory Coast international is seen as a feasible alternative to long term target Marc Guehi.

The Reds failed in a deadline day move for the Crystal Palace skipper, and though they remain keen on his services they are no longer considered the frontrunners. With Guehi’s contract expiring at the end of the season, foreign teams hold the advantage of being able to approach him as early as January.

With new signing Giovanni Leoni suffering a long term injury and Ibrahima Konate continuing to be strongly linked with a free transfer to Real Madrid, Liverpool are reportedly casting their net far and wide for defensive reinforcments.

The Daily Express has reported that the Reds have begun scouting Diomande. The Sporting man is viewed as a possible summer target if they fail once more in their attempts for Guehi and other targets.

Diomande has a reported value of £40 million. He has attracted interest from across Europe for his aggressive style of play.

He has drawn comparisons to Liverpool’s Ibrahima Konate for his physical strength and size. He was a key cog in the Sporting side that was crowned back-to-back Liga Portugal champions, starting and playing 31 out of 34 league games in the 2024/25 season.

At 6’3, he fits the profile of imposing defenders Liverpool are targeting. The player held initial talks with Crystal Palace last summer amid Liverpool’s pursuit of Guehi, but ultimately both players stayed at their respective clubs.

Liverpool are also keen on Borussia Dortmund’s Nico Schlotterbeck as well as Guehi’s Crystal Palace teammate Maxence Lacroix.

As it stands, Joe Gomez remains as the only senior reserve centre half for Liverpool. Gomez’s future remains uncertain as well, after being the subject of interest from AC Milan in the summer.

Nadji is a football writer with over 10 years of experience covering the Premier League. His work has been featured on Football Fancast, Arsenal-Mania, and Arsenal.com, where he has built a reputation for delivering sharp analysis, engaging storytelling, and in-depth coverage of the game.