Everton are actively pursuing FC Midtjylland centre-back Ousmane Diao ahead of the summer 2026 transfer window. According to Africa Foot, the Toffees have included the Senegalese defender on their shortlist and are keenly interested in the 21-year-old. Everton scouts have made at least eight visits to Midtjylland by December to evaluate several players, but their attention has now focused on Diao.
Everton Pursues Ousmane Diao as Summer Transfer Negotiations Intensify
Midtjylland is open to a potential sale but is seeking between €15 and €20 million. This asking price is significant, given his €8 million valuation on Transfermarkt. RB Leipzig has already made a €12 million attempt to acquire him, which the Danish club rejected outright, indicating they are not eager to lower their demands. With Diao’s contract running until June 2029 and lacking a release clause, Midtjylland holds substantial leverage in negotiations.
The right-footed centre-back joined Midtjylland on a permanent basis in July 2024 after a tenure with Portuguese club CD Mafra. He has demonstrated impressive capabilities for a young defender, scoring 10 goals and providing five assists over 75 appearances. His defensive metrics are equally strong, averaging 2.26 tackles, 1.31 interceptions, and 3.64 clearances per 90 minutes, while the team concedes only once every 137 minutes during his time on the field.
However, Diao remains untested at the highest competition level. Transitioning from the Danish Superliga to the Premier League presents a considerable challenge, and investing up to €20 million for this leap is a risky decision. He has also attracted interest from several clubs, including Eintracht Frankfurt, Porto, Benfica, Fulham, Liverpool, Crystal Palace, and Bournemouth.
Does Diao Address Everton’s Defensive Concerns or Complicate Them Further?