Ousmane Diomande: Thursday’s update from Portugal on Nottingham Forest transfer

Nottingham Forest’s talks with Ousmane Diomande are now having an impact beyond the negotiating table. The defender’s involvement in Sporting CP’s final pre-season friendly is still up in the air.

According to Record, the 22-year-old does not yet know whether he will be included in Rui Borges’ squad to face Nottingham Forest on Friday. That is because the two clubs continue working towards a deal. And Evangelos Marinakis seems to be making things quite difficult.

The uncertainty comes with negotiations still ongoing. Sporting continue to demand €40m (£35m) as a guaranteed fee, plus €5m (£4.3m) in bonuses. Meanwhile, Forest’s latest offer is reported to stand at €38m (£33m) up front and €4m (£3.5m) in add-ons.

Decision delayed by Diomande transfer uncertainty

Record explains that Borges already accepts Ousmane Diomande is likely to leave this summer. Even so, the Sporting manager would like to give the centre-back the chance to say goodbye to the supporters on the pitch before his departure.

Whether that happens now depends on events away from the training ground.

The Portuguese newspaper says the squad travelling south for the match will only be confirmed on Thursday. This will leave Ousmane Diomande waiting to discover whether there is a seat for him on the team coach.

There is a certain irony to the situation. If selected, Ousmane Diomande could make what may prove to be his final Sporting appearance against the very club attempting to sign him. But if he is sold before the match, he could even make his debut for Forest against the very club he used to defend.

Record believes the coming hours should prove decisive. But there is a lot of confidence that the remaining details of the transfer can finally be resolved. Until then, however, Ousmane Diomande’s farewell – and potentially his first meeting with his future employers – remains on hold.