Arsenal wanted Ousmane Diomande but the youngster has completed a move to Sporting – with a huge €80million release clause.
Sporting were involved in one of the sagas of the January window.
Right wing back Pedro Porro was Tottenham Hotspur’s top target and the deal was on again and off again for weeks.
Porro did end up joining Tottenham in the end, signing on loan with an obligation to buy at the end of the season.
That’s a huge blow for Sporting but they did manage to bring in a couple of new faces before the window slammed shut.
Barcelona right back – and former Arsenal man – Hector Bellerin arrived to replace Porro.
Sporting also secured the signing of Ivorian talent Ousmane Diomande from Midtjylland in an exciting addition for the future.
Arsenal target Ousmane Diomande now has huge release clause
Diomande, 19, joined the Midtjylland ranks in January 2022 and was then loaned out over the summer to Mafra.
Diomande impressed in Portugal’s second tier, so much so that Lisbon giants Sporting decided to swoop in and sign him.
Sporting moved in to sign Diomande because they knew English clubs were starting to look at him.
Mais Futebol and CNN Portugal reporter Bruno Andrade reporting that Arsenal were looking to sign Diomande.
The teenager is a raw talent but showed huge potential at Mafra, leaving Edu to consider luring him to Arsenal.
The Gunners didn’t firm up their interest before the deadline and that allowed Sporting to pounce.
Sporting confirmed the deal on Tuesday, adding that Diomande has a release clause worth €80million (£71million) in his contract.
It’s unlikely that anybody will be paying that in the future but Sporting have some security over Diomande’s future, which is vital with Arsenal sniffing around of late.
If Arsenal do end up moving for Diomande down the line, they may end up needing to negotiate fiercely – just as Tottenham did for Porro.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
