Leeds United in Chelsea battle for Ousmane Diomande as 'significant' advantage emerges

Leeds United aren't the only side in the race to sign Ousmane Diomande from Sporting.

The summer window is now underway and the Ivory Coast international has emerged as a top target at Elland Road.

The defender is currently at the World Cup in North America and is looking ahead to two further group stage outings.

After winning against Ecuador in their opening game, clashes with Germany and Curacao await.

That all hampers the Whites from making a deal happen for the centre-back who remains of interest in LS11.

The longer this transfer pursuit goes on, the more sides enter the race for Diomande as Leeds could be left frustrated.

Leeds and Chelsea could both miss out on Ousmane Diomande

The Sporting man would certainly prove to be a coup for Daniel Farke and Co. this summer.

It appears that the Elland Road outfit know that as they looked to make a quick swoop before anyone else could get there.

That hasn't necessarily paid off as he is yet to seal a move, while new interested parties emerge.

French outlet Top Mercato reported on Wednesday that the Whites have been joined in the race by fellow Premier League sides Chelsea and Bournemouth.

All three could soon be set to miss out on the centre-back as Como look to have the advantage to signing Diomande.

They can offer Champions League football next season and that is said to be a "significant selling point" to get a deal done this summer.

Sporting could let him go for as little as £34million, although a bidding war looks set to get underway.

Diomande could be 'jewel' for Leeds United

There is no getting away from how good a signing the Sporting man could prove to be at Elland Road.

He has over 130 appearances under his belt with the Portuguese giants at 22 after moving from Midtjylland in January 2023.

In the months following that move, Football Talent Scout described Diomande as "Sporting CP's Ivorian jewel".

He was also mooted as "one of the most promising centre backs in Europe" at the time and that hasn't changed.

If Leeds could get their hands on the World Cup ace, he could prove to be one of their best players in an effort to maintain their place in the Premier League.

It will be tough to win the race, but they will hope their eagerness will make a difference ahead of Chelsea, Como and Bournemouth.