Leeds United could be a hot topic in this summer’s transfer window, with a potential club-record selection of players to strengthen Daniel Farke’s squad.
After a successful first season under the German head coach, who finished 14th in the Premier League, the board is looking to improve the squad for next term.
The Whites are reportedly interested in signing Sporting centre-back Ousmane Diomande for a club-record £39m, surpassing the £35.5m they paid for Georginio Rutter from Hoffenheim in January 2023.
It is also said that the West Yorkshire outfit have already agreed personal terms with the Ivorian defender, suggesting they would only need to agree a fee with Sporting to get a deal over the line.
However, the decision to pay a player the highest salary in club history is not a decision a club makes lightly, and it remains to be seen whether the 49ers will go through with it.
Leeds interested in signing La Liga star
Diomande made 17 appearances in La Liga for Sporting in 2025/26, after winning the division in each of the previous two seasons, and was a dominant player in the air.
25/26 Liga Portugal | Usman Diomand |
|---|---|
Appearance | 17 |
clean sheet | 6 |
Number of balls collected | 75 |
clearance | 60 |
won a duel | 54 |
Ground duel success rate | 38% |
Aerial duel success rate | 57% |
But the Ivory Coast star is not the only player in Portugal’s top flight to have caught the eye of Falke and his recruitment team ahead of next season.
Leeds United are one of a number of teams interested in signing Braga goalkeeper Lukas Hornicek in the summer transfer window, according to Portuguese journalist Pablo Oliveira.
However, the journalist claims that the Portuguese side are not prepared to negotiate with the club for the star stopper, as this is a release clause in the contract, meaning interested parties would have to bid £26m for the offer to be accepted.
Oliveira added that Porto and Benfica, who won La Liga in the 2025-26 season, are also eyeing the Czech international as potential signings this summer.
However, he did not reveal whether Porto, Benfica and Leeds would be prepared to pay the £26m required to sign the goalkeeper, although all three teams know how much they would have to pay to accept an offer.
Why Ousmane Diomando loves Lukas Hornicek
Los Blancos should pay the asking price for the Braga star. Because he’s a great addition to the team. Diomande would be keen to play together if both players end up at Elland Road.
Karl Darlow finished the season as the club’s first choice between the sticks, but there is room for Farke to bring in a better goalkeeper for the 2026-27 season.
The veteran Wales international conceded 1.50 more goals than expected based on his opponents’ xG and only completed 58% of his attempted passes as he struggled to play from the back under pressure.
25/26 season | Mine (LP) | Darlow (PL) |
|---|---|---|
Appearance | 33 | twenty two |
Save success rate | 69% | 70% |
goal prevention | +3.81 | -1.50 |
Error led to shot | 0 | 1 |
A mistake led to a goal | 0 | 0 |
Pass accuracy | 75% | 58% |
Number of successful runouts per game | 1.4 | 0.7 |
Meanwhile, Hornicek’s form with Braga this season has shown him to be much better with the ball at his feet when playing from the back, while also being very effective as a shot-stopper.
Diomande is a progressive passer, averaging 24.6 forward passes per 90 this season. Diomande wants to play outside the defence, allowing him to come forward and advance his team’s play. That means he needs a goalkeeper behind him who is comfortable with the ball and wants to play.
The Czech international would therefore be a much better fit for the Ivorian than Darlow, who often kicked the ball long instead of taking risks under pressure to play on court.
Dubbed a “prodigy” by author Zach Lowy, Horniek also attracted attention for his performance in the Europa League, completing 66% of his pass attempts and stopping 3.73 more goals than expected in 14 games in the competition.
The 23-year-old star’s impressive 1.4 run-outs per game in the Portuguese league also suggests Diomande loves him.
Having a goalkeeper who is far more proactive in coming off his line and picking up the ball behind the defense would mean the final line could step up, allowing Diomande to play higher up the pitch with the ball at his feet and show off his progressive passing.
Therefore, signing the Sporting and Braga star from Portugal’s first team this summer could improve Falke’s side and be a great double signing for the club.
Best deal since Rutter: Leeds agree personal terms to sign £39m star
Leeds United are one step closer to landing a blockbuster.
