Real Madrid targets Ousmane Diomande and Goncalo Inacio, two highly regarded Sporting CP defenders, are reportedly Hugo Viana’s top priorities for Manchester City.

Manchester City is reportedly interested in Ousmane Diomande and Goncalo Inacio, according to a report by the Spanish publication Defensa Central. The Premier League team’s pursuit of the Sporting CP center backs is being spearheaded by new sporting director Hugo Viana. Real Madrid is also keeping an eye on the highly regarded defense pair, seeing them as potential replacements for William Saliba.
The ascent of Goncalo Inacio and Ousmane Diomande
When Ousmane Diomande moved from FC Midtjylland to Sporting CP in January 2023, he rapidly established himself as a world-class center back. Over the past 18 months, the Ivory Coast international has gained a lot of attention from prestigious clubs, making him a desirable commodity in the market.

Goncalo Inacio, the 20-year-old defender’s center-back partner, is also in high demand on the market after seeing tremendous success in the last several years with the Sporting CP first team. The Portuguese international has played with the Lions for almost 200 games so far, contributing 16 goals and 11 assists.

Because of their successes at Sporting CP, the two have established themselves as mainstays for their national teams. Furthermore, they have come to the attention of major European clubs, Manchester City being one of their potential suitors. Furthermore, Real Madrid has them as one of their main goals.

Men in high demand
Manchester City’s pursuit of Ousmane Diomande and Goncalo Inacio is spearheaded by Hugo Viana. The former’s move from FC Midtjylland was supervised by the newly appointed sporting director, who has also been responsible for some outstanding additions in recent years. It is therefore not shocking that he wants Manchester City to sign the Sporting CP defense tandem after seeing them up close.

Real Madrid’s top priority for the upcoming season will be to sign William Saliba from Arsenal. The two Sporting CP center backs have emerged as alternatives to the French defender, who does not wish to leave Arsenal anytime soon, but the reigning La Liga winners will still have options.

Real Madrid can so pursue Diomande and Inacio, but they will need to act fast to defeat Manchester City. Real Madrid will have a difficult struggle to sign the two Sporting CP players, as Hugo Viana is leading the Premier League team’s pursuit of them.