Newcastle ‘set to bid £58m for Sporting Lisbon star Ousmane Diomande, 19, with defender having £70m release clause’

NEWCASTLE are planning a move for Sporting Lisbon star Ousmane Diomande ahead of the January transfer window.

The Magpies’ manager Eddie Howe is looking for reinforcement amid an injury-ravaged season, which has seen him lose defenders Sven Botman, Fabian Schar and Dan Burn.

Newcastle are keeping tabs on Sporting Lisbon star Ousmane DiomandeGetty

Newcastle are preparing a £58m bid for Diomande, who may cost £70mGetty

Italian midfielder Sandro Tonali is also out for the season due to a ban.

According to Tipsbladet, the Toon are preparing an offer worth more than £58million for Diomande as the winter market fast approaches.

Sporting, however, have set a £70m release clause for the centre-back.

Newcastle, though, are looking to test the waters for the Ivory Coast international, who is considered the best African prospect playing in Europe.

And the 19-year-old’s former club Midtjylland are looking at a cash windfall from a potential deal.

That is because the Danish giants included a resale clause in the deal with Sporting after they sold him for £6.5m in January.

In fact, Midtjylland will make 20 per cent of the final price if the Portuguese giants sell Diomande before his contract runs out in 2027.

Manchester City as well as Arsenal have also been linked ahead of the January transfer window.

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However, Newcastle are very keen and need to boost their backline for the second half of the season.

Howe sent scouts earlier this month to watch the Ivorian play for Lisbon in their 2-1 derby defeat by Benfica.

The defender is comfortable playing in a back three or four and has started almost every game with Ruben Amorim’s side.

Diomande has amassed a total of three goals and one assist in 33 appearances with Sporting.