Crystal Palace is in negotiations with Sporting CP over signing defensive sensation Ousmane Diomande, but the deal comes with a significant price tag. The Portuguese giants are demanding a substantial fee for the 21-year-old Ivorian international, who has two years remaining on his contract.

Transfer Details

– Crystal Palace’s Pursuit: Oliver Glasner’s Crystal Palace has intensified their pursuit of Diomande, with negotiations progressing well. The player is reportedly keen on making the switch to the Premier League.

– Sporting CP’s Asking Price: The Portuguese club is expected to demand a significant fee for Diomande’s transfer, which could be a challenge for Crystal Palace.

– Competition from Other Clubs: Other top clubs have also inquired about Diomande’s availability, which could rival Crystal Palace’s pursuit ¹.

Potential Impact on Crystal Palace

– Strengthening the Defense: Signing Diomande would bolster Crystal Palace’s defense, particularly with uncertainty surrounding Marc Guehi’s future.

– Glasner’s Priority: Glasner has given the green light to sign Diomande, indicating the player’s importance to the team’s plans.

– Europa League Participation: Crystal Palace’s participation in the Europa League is uncertain due to multi-club ownership rules, which could impact their transfer plans ¹ ².

Uncertainty Over European Participation

– Multi-Club Ownership Rules: UEFA’s rules prohibit clubs with shared ownership from competing in the same European competition. Crystal Palace and Lyon, both owned by John Textor, are subject to these rules.

– Potential Consequences: If Crystal Palace is banned from the Europa League, Nottingham Forest could benefit, and Brighton might qualify for the Conference League instead.

– Blind Trust Proposal: Crystal Palace’s owners have proposed putting their shares in a blind trust to comply with UEFA’s rules, but this offer has been rejected due to missing the registration deadline ³ ².