£70m Newcastle transfer target now ‘not thinking’ about leaving current club in January

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Newcastle have been dealt a transfer blow as January target and Sporting Lisbon defender Ousmane Diomande does not want to leave before the end of the season.

News recently emerged that Newcastle were scouting the centre-back ahead of the window as Eddie Howe looked to bolster his stretched squad ahead of the second half of the season.

Now, A Bola are reporting that Diomande will not be moving to Newcastle in January and that his wish is to stay at Sporting at least until the end of the season to help them fight for the title in Portugal.

Diomande to Newcastle now off the table

If Newcastle are intent on purchasing a new centre-back in the January window to either replace or play backup to Fabian Schar then it looks unlikely that the 19-year-old will be the one to be brought in.

However, Newcastle’s recruits obviously admire the young defender and may continue to scout him with a view to pursuing him in the summer when he may be more willing to leave.

Diomande has already proven to be an exciting talent this season and, as reported by A Bola, has become ‘one of the most promising young players in Europe’ after 33 games for Sporting since the start of last season, so it’s easy to understand why Newcastle are so keen to bring him in.

The Ivorian, who has a £70m release clause, is now a regular starter for Ruben Amorim’s team and is being scouted by some of the top teams in Europe, though this has not affected his decision to stay in Portugal beyond January.

Newcastle need strength in depth

It’s so important for Eddie Howe and the future of the club that Newcastle can bring in quality players in January and the summer as they’re currently stuck in a sort of unusual hybrid situation.

There are players like Alexander Isak and Bruno Guimaraes who were brought in post-takeover, are top players around the world and should be playing European football every season.

But then you look at the depth in the squad which is a few injuries away from Matt Ritchie and Paul Dummett starting, two players who were useful in the Championship season almost seven years ago.

Bringing in the likes of Diomande from Sporting along with other potential or established stars will completely transform this Newcastle team and could push them to compete for a top four finish every season.