Liverpool send scouts to AFCON for gem that will cost "at least £100M"

Liverpool are actively scouting Ousmane Diomande with the 20-year-old emerging as one of the club's top targets to replace Joel Matip.

The 32-year-old is out of contract in less than six months and will complete a free transfer to a club of his choice to be determined at a later date. His ACL tear means he is unlikely to play another game for Liverpool which is a massive shame.

Diomande, however, has the potential to help fans quickly get over losing Matip.

This season, he has blown scouts away with his aggressive and dominant defensive displays in the Primeira Liga, helping Sporting Lisbon claim top spot in the table.

Liverpool send scouts to watch Ousmane Diomande at AFCON

According to the Liverpool ECHO, it's now clear Jurgen Klopp is taking his evaluation of Ousmane Diomande to Africa with the Reds sending scouts to AFCON to track his progression at the tournament.

They cite "one Portugal-based source" as claiming that he will "be going places in the summer" if the can make it through the tournament "unscathed."

The source adds: "He's definitely one of the standouts of the league, looking at all clubs and positions.

"He's a cut above the rest of the centre-backs we have playing here, [even] better than Antonio Silva at Benfica. He reads play really well, wins his tackles and moves in with perfect timing. He is definitely at a Champions League level already."

Another source in Porgual says: "I think he’s going to be Sporting’s next expensive sale. Sporting is going to make at least £100 million with him. Mark my words."