Liverpool is poised to secure a player they have targeted for some time, following the unexpected collapse of another transfer deal.

This transfer window has unfolded with its share of surprises. Liverpool was at the center of attention when Yan Diomande, initially set to join Anfield, opted for Paris Saint-Germain, only to later choose Real Madrid.

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Another twist emerged this week involving Ousmane Diomande, a centre-back from Sporting CP, who appeared ready to sign with Nottingham Forest after being pursued throughout the summer.

Despite near-finalized arrangements, the deal completely fell apart this week. Mais Futebol confirms the deal is off, leaving Diomande available for other offers.

There will likely be significant interest in the player, with Sporting open to accepting €40 million, the same amount they agreed upon with Forest, attracting clubs across Europe, including Liverpool.

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According to journalist Sebastien Vidal, Liverpool, actively searching for a centre-back, has been keen on Diomande and may make a move for him. The club faces challenges in defense, as demonstrated when Andoni Iraola’s assistant, Tommy Elphick, had to step onto the field during a recent training session.

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The current squad features 35-year-old Virgil van Dijk as the most dependable option. Joe Gomez is sidelined with injury, while Giovanni Leoni is out for nearly a year due to a knee injury sustained during his debut. Jeremy Jacquet, another less-known player, missed the latter part of last season with a shoulder injury.

Both Jacquet and Leoni are young, and the experienced players have contracts expiring in a year. This raises concerns about Liverpool’s defensive future, where a more seasoned player like Diomande could be a beneficial addition.

While Diomande is only 22, he brings four years of senior football experience to the table, making him a compelling option for Liverpool at this crucial time.

Liverpool are in a good position to sign a star they’ve wanted for a long time. It comes days after a deal’s stunning collapse.

There have been some dramatic moments in this transfer window so far. Liverpool were at the centre of one of them – when Yan Diomande, who looked destined for Anfield, suddenly decided on Paris Saint-Germain (before, even more dramatically, deciding on Real Madrid).

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But there was another twist this week and it again featured a Diomande. Ousmane Diomande, the Sporting CP centre-back, looked absolutely nailed on to join Nottingham Forest, who have chased him all summer.

Virtually everything appeared to be in place, only for the deal to completely collapse this week. Mais Futebol reports that it’s now off and Diomande may now move elsewhere.

There will certainly be interest. Sporting would accept €40m for the defender, as they did from Forest, and clubs all over Europe would be happy to pay that. One of which may be Liverpool.

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Journalist Sebastien Vidal reports that the Reds, who are in the market for a centre-back, have long been admirers of Diomande and could move for the player. They could certainly use a centre-back – things are so bad right now that Andoni Iraola’s assistant, Tommy Elphick, stepped in to play the role during a training session recently.

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The squad boasts a 35-year-old Virgil van Dijk as by far the most reliable option. Joe Gomez is injured, while Giovanni Leoni has ben out for nearly a year with a knee injury on debut. Then there’s Jeremy Jacquet, a relatively unknown quantity who missed the back end of last season with a shoulder injury.

Both Jacquet and Leoni are very young players, too, while the experienced pair only have contracts for one more year. The future isn’t very strong, in other words, and Liverpool could use a more senior option.

Diomande is barely that, admittedly, as he’s only 22 but he’s been playing senior football for four years. That’s more than cane be said about Jacuquet and Leoni.

This is one to watch, then. Diomande is a very interesting and affordable option for Liverpool at a time when they could really use that.