Nottingham Forest are on the verge of completing the signing of Sporting defender Ousmane Diomande, with the transfer expected to be finalized in the coming hours, according to reports.The 22-year-old centre-back has already agreed personal terms with the Premier League side, while negotiations between Forest and Sporting are now entering their final phase. The deal is expected to be worth around £34.3 million as Oliver Glasner continues strengthening his defensive options ahead of the new season.🚨 Nottingham Forest are on the verge of signing Ousmane Diomande from Sporting in a deal worth up to €45M.The agreement is almost complete, with only the payment structure and final paperwork still to be resolved.Sporting will receive an initial €40M, performance-related… pic.twitter.com/08hHhVAqCI— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) July 29, 2026 Sporting are also making progress in their search for a replacement, which is expected to clear the final obstacle before Diomande's move to the City Ground is officially completed.Forest have tracked the Ivorian defender for several months after his standout performances in the Portuguese top flight, and their persistence now appears set to pay off.If the remaining paperwork is completed in time, Diomande could even find himself lining up against his soon-to-be former club when Nottingham Forest face Sporting in a pre-season friendly on Friday.The highly rated defender is poised to become Forest's second major arrival of the summer following the free signing of Xaver Schlager, and his capture would represent one of the club's biggest statements in the transfer market.##EDITORS_CHOICE##After a disappointing 2025-26 campaign that saw Forest battle relegation while changing managers four times, the club is determined to avoid another season of turmoil. Strengthening the defense has become a priority, and Diomande is viewed as a player capable of transforming the back line.The Ivorian has established himself as one of Sporting's most dependable performers in recent years, playing a key role during one of the club's most successful periods. His arrival would provide Forest with quality, composure, and physical presence at the heart of the defense.What a pass by Ousmane Diomande 👏#UCL pic.twitter.com/rmFo57pF3k— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) April 10, 2026 Should the transfer be completed as expected, Forest will hope Diomande can become the foundation of a much-improved defensive unit. With additional reinforcements potentially still to come, the club will be aiming to move comfortably away from the relegation battle and push for a return to European competition during the 2026-27 season.##NAJAVA_MECA_9867841##
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