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Newcastle transfer news: Newcastle United to splash out on Ousmane Diomande

In today's Newcastle transfer news - Magpies have 'stepped up' their scouting of Sporting Lisbon defender Ousmane Diomande as they prepare to bid big to secure the transfer.

By Joel Orme

Vitoria Guimaraes v Sporting CP - Liga Portugal Betclic
Vitoria Guimaraes v Sporting CP - Liga Portugal Betclic / Quality Sport Images/GettyImages
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Despite FFP and PSR rules and worries, it appears as though Newcastle United have stepped up their scouting of Sporting Lisbon defender Ousmane Diomande in a deal that could become the most expensive in the club's history.

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Newcastle transfer news: Newcastle United to splash out on Ousmane Diomande

Sporting reportedly value Diomande at around £70m, and it's thought this value matches a transfer release clause in the Ivory Coast international's contract. However, Newcastle will be wanting to start the bidding well below this figure.

Diomande has long been the subject of spectulation, with Arsenal reportedly having a £30m bif turned down last summer. Back then, his agent, Luis Cassaiano Neves, said his player was wanting to stay at Sporting, and was willing to discuss a new contract with Sporting. However, that didn't happe, with the Portuguese club standing firm.

So far this year, Diomande has made his way into the Sporting first team, and has become a regular in their back line, making 15 league appearances, as well as featuring in five of their Europa League matches.

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The 20-year old is currently on a contract thought to be worth £10,000 a week, and this would rise sharply should Eddie Howe get his man. However, it's not thought that this would cause an issue. The biggest problem Newcastle face is that of the up front fee.

As a player who can only play at centre-back, it's likely that this signing would replace Fabian Schar in the starting line-up, despite the Swiss star having just signed a new contract. With Schar dropping back to the bench, it could mean the end for players like Paul Dummett and even Jamaal Lascelles.

It would certainly be a top signing for Newcastle, and certainly show the intent to spend on the right players. It would firm up a defence that has leaked 32 goals so far in the Premier League, just one less that the entirety of last season.

What do you make of today's Newcastle transfer news?

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