‘One of the most exciting’ defenders in Europe could sign for Manchester United this summer, he cost just £35m

Varane’s departure could soon be followed by Jonny Evans and also possibly a sale with Victor Lindelof believed to be available.

After a season where the defense suffered, an overhaul was needed to fix the aging defensive cohort.

There have been several links with centre-backs in the past week, all of them young and exciting, with United now reported to be considering a 20-year-old from the Portuguese League.

Ousmane Diomande has been identified by Manchester United as a target this summer

There is no shortage of options for United to sign a centre-back this summer and now, according to a report from The Express, Sporting Lisbon’s Ivorian Ousmane Diomande has been considered.

The report explains that United are considering a move for Diomande, who is fresh off winning the Portuguese League with Sporting.

Liverpool and Newcastle have been in the running, however, with both cooling their interest, but that’s only a positive for the Old Trafford outfit.

Sporting are reportedly ready to compromise on their asking price, which now stands at £51m, with £35m expected to be a sum that Sporting would take seriously in account. This is because they have to raise funds through sales, which leaves the club in a difficult position and keen to do business.

Diomande has been a player United have wanted for some time, as the report states that his representatives met with the club earlier this season, with more talks planned after Erik ten Hag’s future becomes clear.

Diomande is the latest to be linked, with Jarrad Branthwaite, Aaron Anselmino and Jean-Clair Todibo all having their names mentioned in recent weeks.

Manchester United and Sporting Lisbon have a storied transfer past

United have gone shopping in Lisbon a lot over the years, most of them massive successes.

Cristiano Ronaldo came first in 2003 and we all know how that transfer turned out as he became a club legend.

Four years later, Nani followed Ronaldo and was a favorite for many and certainly an underrated player during his time at the club.

Marcos Rojo was next, seven years after Nani, as he was a Louis van Gaal signing and became a bit of a cult hero at the club.

Finally, Bruno Fernandes arrived in 2020 and is currently the club’s captain and most important player.

So if Diomande does arrive, he will be joining good company as a former Sporting player at Carrington.