Nottingham Forest are closing in on a deal to sign Sporting Lisbon defender Ousmane Diomande, with new manager Oliver Glasner keen to secure the 22-year-old Ivory Coast international as a key addition to his squad. The move matters because it represents an early statement signing under Glasner, who has long admired Diomande and previously attempted to bring him to Crystal Palace before joining Forest.

Diomande has a release clause of £68.2m, though Forest are hoping to negotiate a lower fee, with talks between the clubs described as being at an advanced stage. The centre-back has made more than 150 senior appearances for club and country, including 15 caps for Ivory Coast, and helped his nation reach the World Cup knockout stages for the first time.