Nottingham Forest fans would be forgiven for finding the latest development in Ousmane Diomande’s transfer saga a little unusual.
Sporting and Forest are due to meet in today’s pre-season friendly in the Algarve. Yet Diomande has not even travelled with the Portuguese club. Instead, he has remained in Lisbon while negotiations over his move to the City Ground continue.
On the face of it, the decision makes sense. Sporting clearly do not want to expose a player on the verge of leaving to any unnecessary injury risk. At the same time, though, it is an eye-catching move given the transfer has yet to be officially completed.
Portuguese newspapers see it as another clear indication that the deal is entering its final stages.
No place on the coach
Both O Jogo and A Bola report that Diomande stayed behind while Sporting travelled south for the match.
O Jogo says the defender was left out because he is in the final stages of completing his transfer. The club is unwilling to risk any physical setback that could jeopardise a deal. The newspaper values the transfer at €40m (£35m) in guaranteed money.
A Bola goes even further, stating that Diomande is “on his way” to Nottingham Forest and that negotiations should be concluded in the coming hours. According to the newspaper, Sporting will receive no less than €40m (£35m) as a fixed fee.
Final steps
Earlier this week, Portuguese reports revealed the two clubs were separated by just €2m (£1.7m) on the guaranteed fee. There were also suggestions that Evangelos Marinakis’ tough negotiating style had contributed to the slower pace of talks.
Now, with Diomande not even travelling for a match against the club trying to sign him, there is another strong indication that everyone involved expects the move to happen.
Until signatures are on the paperwork, Forest supporters are entitled to keep a small degree of caution. But leaving the defender behind for a friendly against his prospective new club is about as strong a hint as Sporting could give that this transfer is nearing the finish line.
