Diomande to Newcastle? - Interesting claims as two journalists drop transfer hint

A couple of interesting lines have emerged today from North East reporters Luke Edwards and Mark Douglas, especially as one has revealed our ongoing interest in a previously linked overseas centre-back.

Writing on X, Edwards said: 'They (Newcastle) are also looking abroad. Are they going to pull off another transfer surprise this summer? I’m starting to think so.'

Douglas added to this with his own post on X, stating: 'Could #nufc do a Tonali 2.0? Like @LukeEdwardsTele, wouldn't rule out overseas signing coming from left field.' 

This then brings to Ousmane Diomande; the Sporting Lisbon centre-back who was featured in Edwards' latest transfer update for The Telegraph today.

After claiming that Newcastle are moving ahead with our search for a new centre-back and 'looking at the foreign market to do so', he highlighted that Diomande is a player of interest and has been for some time.

Edwards reveals that Newcastle have scouted the Ivory Coast international 'regularly', suggesting that we are 'likely to be at the table' for the 21-year-old following recent links to Crystal Palace and Chelsea.

Perhaps it's just a hunch from him and he's attempting to second guess any 'secret deals' the club are looking to do in private, much like we did in signing Sandro Tonali from AC Milan two years ago.

Or, maybe there is some truth to this and one of the most highly-rated young centre-backs currently impressing in Portugal could be our man to avoid another tedious transfer saga involving Marc Guehi and Crystal Palace?

Only time will tell, but Diomande might just be one to watch given our long-term admiration, Steve Nickson’s track record and the player's mixture of size, athleticism and potential on the ball.