Crystal Palace are reportedly closing in on signing 21-year-old Ivory Coast international Ousmane Diomande from Sporting CP.

According to a report by A Bola via Sport Witness, Crystal Palace are close to agreeing a €55 million deal to sign Ousmane Diomande. He is highly rated across Europe, and he has shown his ability at the Portuguese club.

The move to the Premier League could be ideal for him, and it could help him develop further. Crystal Palace are likely to lose club captain Marc Guehi this summer, and they need to replace him.

The 24-year-old is entering the final year of his contract, and he has decided not to sign an extension. Palace are under pressure to sell him this summer, and they need to replace him. Diomande is one of the best young defenders in European football right now, and the 21-year-old could be a solid long-term acquisition.

He has the potential to develop into a top-class player with the right guidance. Regular football in the Premier League could accelerate his development and help him fulfil his world-class potential.

The €500,000 a year defensive sensation will look to hit the ground running at Crystal Palace and establish himself as a key player for them. While the reported asking price is quite expensive, the player has the potential to justify the investment in future.

Ousmane Diomande to replace Marc Guehi

Meanwhile, Guehi has been linked with clubs like Liverpool in recent weeks. It will be interesting to see where he ends up. He will hope to join a club where he can win major trophies. He has won the FA Cup with Crystal Palace last season, and he will feel that this is the farthest he could go with the London club. This is the right time for him to take the next step and join an elite club.

Diomande has the physicality to adapt to English football quickly, and Crystal Palace will be hoping to nurture him into one of the best defenders in the league.