Over the last few days, various reports have linked Brighton with a move for Sporting CP's Ousmane Diomande.
Journalist Farzam Abolhosseini said: "Brighton are interested in Sporting defender Ousmane Diomande and have asked for further information about him."
He has a release clause of £67 million and it has been said he will not be sold for less due to the amount of top European sides interested in him.
This points to a move being difficult to make happen, but the Seagulls may be determined to get business done.
What could Diomande bring to Brighton, and where will he fit in?
VAVEL explores all here.
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Club Career
Diomande started his career at OS Abobo before moving to FC Midtjylland U19s on January 20, 2022.
In his first season with the Danish team's youth side, he played 17 games and scored two goals.
His two goals came against Benfica and Vizela.
He also played 75 minutes for Midtjylland Reserves.
He played a total of 1,444 minutes across the 2021/22 season.
After impressing in the Youth League, he was promoted to the first team on July 1, 2022.
Just over a month later he was sent on loan to CD Mafra in the Liga Portugal 2.
The young defender played 17 games across three competitions for CD Mafra, totting up 1,285 minutes.
He played 13 games in Liga Portugal 2, one game in the Taça de Portugal, and three games in the Allianz Cup in which he scored one goal.
This goal came against Vizela.
He also provided an assist in a three all draw with Vilafranquense.
Following a solid six months in the Portuguese second division, he was recalled by Midtjylland and sold to Sporting CP for £7 million.
During the second half of the 2022/23 season, he played 1,155 minutes across 17 games for Sporting.
He played 13 games in the Liga Portugal and four games in the Europa League.
The Ivorian scored one goal in that season, and it came in a 2-2 draw with Benfica.
Diomande's first six months with the Portuguese side went extremely well and the following season saw him secure a starting position.
In the 2023/24 season he played 38 games, scored three goals and provided one assist.
In total he played 2,981 minutes across four competitions.
The 21-year-old played three games in the Taça de Portugal, one game in the Allianz Cup, eight games in the Europa League, and 26 games in the Liga Portugal.
He scored two goals and provided one assist in the league.
His two goals came against Moreirense and Gil Vicente.
And his assist came against SC Braga.
He also scored one goal in the Europa League,, which came against Sturm Graz.
His magnificent season saw many clubs interested him over the summer of 2024, but Sporting CP managed to keep hold of him.
So far this season, he has played 1,983 minutes across 26 games.
Those 26 games include five appearances in the UEFA Champions League.
One of which was an unpredictable 4-1 victory over Manchester City.
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International Career
Diomande is one of very players to have received a senior international call-up without featuring for any of the youth teams.
In September 2023 he was called-up to the Ivory Coast team by current Montpellier manager Jean-Louis Gasset.
On September 9, 2023, he made his debut at the age of just 19 years, nine months, and five days.
So far, he has made eight appearances for the national team.
The Abidjan-born defender has played in four international friendlies, two Afrika-Cup Qualifiers, and two AFCON games.
In total, he has played 662 minutes.
He has only scored one goal and that came in a 5-1 thrashing of Sierra Leone.
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What would he bring to Brighton?
Brighton have struggled with injuries this season, losing nearly 1,000 days of player availability due to injury.
The crisis has recently plagued the backline, with Lewis Dunk and Igor Julio picking up injuries.
The latter has required surgery on his hamstring, which has ended his season.
At one point, the squad's only fit senior centre-backs were Jan Paul van Hecke and Adam Webster.
Webster has also only just returned from a mid-term injury.
Injuries are not the only reason the Seagulls need to invest in a centre back.
While the 33-year-old Dunk is still a very good defender, mistakes have started to creep into his game, and nobody can be certain of how long he has left at the highest level.
Igor and Webster are also inconsistent performers, and this is something that cannot happen if the south coast side want to qualify for Europe.
Pace in the backline is something the squad lacks too.
Diomande would solve these issues.
In terms of style and profile, he is similar to the likes of West Ham's Jean-Clair Todibo, Arsenal's William Saliba and Real Madrid's Antonio Rüdiger.
All three are elite defenders.
If Diomande is anything like these three players, then securing his signature would be a no-brainer.
Just by looking at his general attributes, it is clear to see he would be a perfect fit for Fabian Hürzeler and Brighton
He is 21 years old, which fits the recruitment strategy.
He is 6'3" tall, which would solve Brighton's lacklustre set-pieces.
He weighs 86 kg, which gives him the strength and stature needed in the Premier League.
The only attribute that does not fit exactly what Brighton need is that he is right-footed.
A left-footer would fit the squad's needs a lot better.
His best attributes also point to him being the perfect Hürzeler centre back.
Off the ball, he has strength, fantastic interceptions, elite tackling and great marking and positioning understanding.
Marking and positioning is something that has been questioned previously of the Brighton squad.
On the ball, Diomande has top-level passing and composure, which is required in Brighton's system.
While he is still only young, there does not seem to be any significant weaknesses in his game.
If the Seagulls want European football to return to the Amex Stadium, then this is a deal that would go a long way toward making that happen.
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Where would he fit in?
As previously said, Brighton need a centre-back - or two - for several reasons.
The Seagulls' first-choice defender is van Hecke, and it seems unlikely he will be losing his place anytime soon.
The second-choice defender is up for debate.
Some fans argue it is Dunk, others argue it is Igor.
Whoever the second choice is, both are injury-prone and can be upgraded.
Hürzeler liked to play a back three at St. Pauli and the acquisition of a new centre back could see that happen at Brighton.
Diomande is an out-and-out centre-back, playing 113 games there, scoring seven goals, and providing two assists.
He would be able to partner van Hecke in a back four or slot perfectly into a back three if Hürzeler chooses to go that way.
Diomande's reported £67 million release clause coupled with the interest from many top clubs - such as Bayern Munich and Barcelona - makes a deal seem close to impossible.
But Tony Bloom can never be underestimated and if he does pull this deal off, then it is arguably the best in the club's history.
