Nottingham Forest are close to agreeing a deal to sign Sporting CP defender Ousmane Diomande, according to reports.
Diomande, 22, featured at the World Cup for Ivory Coast, helping to keep a clean sheet against Curacao on his sole start in North America.
Valued at €42m by Transfermarkt.co.uk, the centre-back was a target for Crystal Palace when Oliver Glasner was in charge at Selhurst Park and the Austrian tactician has maintained his interest through to his new role as Forest boss.
Glasner's transfer record with defensive talent should provide Forest supporters with plenty of encouragement, too. The FA Cup-winning coach has helped broker shrewd deals for the likes of Maxence Lacroix, Jaydee Canvot and Marin Pongracic at previous clubs.
"Nottingham Forest, confident to close Ousmane Diomande deal with Sporting shortly after bid sent," transfer guru Fabrizio Romano reported on X.
"Proposal will be way below €80m release clause; around €40m total package add-ons included."
Despite the lack of incomings at the City Ground this summer, any deal for Diomande is likely to come alongside confirmation of the capture of midfielder Xaver Schlager.
The Austria international has previous experience working with Glasner whilst at Wolfsburg and reportedly completed a medical with the Tricky Trees after leaving RB Leipzig on a free at the end of last season.
Widespread reports have also detailed that Forest have held discussions with Tottenham over a move for 20-year-old Swedish midfielder Lucas Bergvall after it emerged that he was open to a move away from North London.
With Glasner in the dugout and a reduced fixture list due to the lack of European football, Forest fans will be hopeful that they can give a much better showing than their 16th-placed Premier League effort last season.
They are 7/4 to finish in the top half and 8/1 to achieve a more ambitious top six finish.
