94% passing: Man Utd must explore deal for 22yo Sporting CP star, £35m move could be agreed

Manchester United are poised for a huge spending spree during the summer transfer window.

The Red Devils are presently third in the Premier League standings with 55 points, seven ahead of sixth-placed Chelsea. With seven games left in the campaign, they are well-placed to qualify for the Champions League after two seasons.

A return to European football would require a bigger squad to handle the extra workload and potential injuries. A central defender could be one of the top priorities, particularly with the injury woes to Matthijs de Ligt and Lisandro Martinez this term.

In our view, the club should pursue a deal for Diomande, who has developed into one of the best centre-backs in the Primeira Liga. The Ivorian star has been linked with a move to England for some time, and a deal could materialise this summer.

Still only 22, Diomande has had another fine campaign with Sporting CP. The centre-back has completed 94 percent of his passes in the Primeira Liga this season. He has also won four duels per game alongside five recoveries and four clearances.

Diomande has primarily operated as a right-sided centre-back in a 4-2-3-1 formation under manager Rui Borges, but he previously played in the middle or on the left side of the back three under former head coach Ruben Amorim.

Hence, he can provide quality cover in both centre-back positions. Diomande’s distribution is obviously his main strength. He recently produced a sensational long ball for left-back Maxi Araujo against Arsenal. Goalkeeper David Raya denied him a goal with a superb fingertip save.

Diomande currently has a release clause worth £70 million in his contract, but A Bola claim he has a gentleman’s agreement to leave Sporting CP for around £35m to £44m when the transfer window reopens at the end of the campaign.

For such a price, he would be a bargain signing for the Red Devils. Crystal Palace and Newcastle have also been linked, and the big question remains whether he would accept a rotational starting role at United or opt to join a club with assured minutes.

Martinez is expected to be fit for the season run-in, while De Ligt could return by the summer. Hence, Diomande may not have the guarantee of a starting position with the Red Devils, which could act as a stumbling block in convincing the Ivorian.

Stats from Transfermarkt.com & Sofascore.com

Article written by Sri Aswin .