Hugo Viana could aim to bring a Sporting CP defender with him to Manchester City | OneFootball

Manchester City will continue their rebuild of Pep Guardiola’s squad during the upcoming summer transfer window. Based on the injuries suffered this season by Manuel Akanji, John Stones, Ruben Dias and Nathan Ake this season City could look to add another centre-back to Pep Guardiola’s squad. Hugo Viana is also set to take over as Manchester City’s director of football at the end of this season. Now a new report indicates that Viana could look to bring Sporting CP centre-back Ousmane Diomande to the Etihad this summer. That move does make sense on closer inspection based on the factors above.

Sacha Tavolieri has reported for SkySports that Ousmane Diomande is one of several players Hugo Viana could look to bring to the Etihad. Furthermore, Tavolieri reports that Viana views Diomande as ‘one of the most gifted central defenders of his generation.’

A move for Ousmane Diomande makes sense for Manchester City but it may depend on departures.

As mentioned above, a move for another centre-back does make sense for Manchester City. We have seen injuries cripple City’s defence this season. The arrivals of Abdukodir Khusanov and Vitor Reis have helped in this regard. But for now, Pep Guardiola’s side will soldier on with only three fit centre-backs for the foreseeable future. That is a situation that must be avoided for next season. Luck may prevent a similar situation from unfolding in the manner it has this season. But there are question marks surrounding the long-term fitness of John Stones and Nathan Ake in particular. Due to this, a Manchester City move for Ousmane Diomande does make sense to add another centre-back and alleviate the issues we have seen arise this season. It especially makes sense if Ake or Stones do depart City in the summer.

Ousmane Diomande is an athletic,  powerful and quick centre-back. During his time at Sporting CP, he has shown all of the attributes of a modern-day centre-back. He is strong in a challenge and times his challenges well. Diomande is also strong in the air so he does appear suited to playing in the Premier League. In possession, Diomande is also an intelligent player and his does have a wide range of passing. Based on this brief assessment it’s easy to see why Hugo Viana would be keen to bring Diomande to the Etihad.

There is little doubt that Hugo Viana will have a big job ahead of him as he takes charge of Manchester City’s rebuild in the summer. Based on City’s need to find younger and fitter players a move for Ousmane Diomande does make sense. Whether or not it’s a move City pursue will only be known in the summer.