Insiders suggest Liverpool are looking at signing a £100m player who’s the best in his whole country

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Liverpool are looking into signing a player who could well be the best in Portugal right now.

The Reds have done some notable business in the Portuguese Liga over recent years. First of all, Luis Diaz was signed from Porto in January 2022. Then, Darwin Nunez was brought in from Benfica; a huge transfer that Liverpool are still paying for.

But according to insiders speaking to the Liverpool ECHO, the Reds could be about to make an even more expensive addition.

The ECHO claim that Liverpool are currently ‘analysing’ Sporting centre-back Ousmane Diomande. With the 20-year-old away at AFCON with Ivory Coast, the Reds are reportedly ‘likely’ to be scouting him there, too.

And judging by what’s described as a ‘Portuguese-based source,’ they’ll certainly like what they see.

“If he makes it through AFCON unscathed, he’ll be going places soon or in the summer, for sure,” the source says. “He’s definitely one of the standouts of the league, looking at all clubs and positions. He’s a cut above the rest of the centre-backs we have playing here, [even] better than Antonio Silva at Benfica. He reads play really well, wins his tackles and moves in with perfect timing. He is definitely at a Champions League level already.”

Liverpool scouting £100m+ Diomande

That isn’t all this the unnamed sources say about Diomande. There’s more. It all paints are picture of a player Liverpool really should be going in for.

“I think he’s going to be Sporting’s next expensive sale,” a different source tells the ECHO. “Sporting is going to make at least £100m with him. Mark my words.”

If that ends up being the case, then there’s simply not a chance Liverpool will be the ones to pay it.

The Reds aren’t minded to pay nine-figure sums on players. Especially not ones who have under 100 senior games under their belt, like Diomande.

It is interesting, though. Mainly because Liverpool have been heavily linked with a move for the Ivorian’s centre-back partner at Sporting, Goncalo Inacio.

Inacio has long been seen as a likely candidate to be the Reds next defensive signing. With a £52m release clause though, he isn’t going to come cheap either. Looking at the way Diomande is being rated mind you, Inacio might end up being the more cost-effective option.

Of course, the former Midtjylland youngster is going to have to prove himself further before justifying such a fee.

Perhaps Liverpool will be minded to swoop in before Sporting get the chance to hike his price even higher. Keep your eye on this one.