Arsenal are showing an interest in Ousmane Diomande as they attempt to battle Sporting Clube de Portugal for his signature.
That’s according to Mais Futebol and CNN Portugal reporter Bruno Andrade, who has been discussing Diomande’s future on Twitter.
Andrade claims that Sporting are pushing to sign Diomande but have only offered €5million (£4.4million) for the defender.
Midtjylland want around €10million (£8.8million) for Diomande and Sporting are yet to show a real indication of getting to that price.
Andrade notes that English clubs are interested in Diomande too, with Arsenal the only one named.
Arsenal should be able to blow Sporting out of the water financially and Diomande is now a name to keep a close eye on as Edu considers more deals after Leandro Trossard completes his move to North London.
Who is Arsenal target Ousmane Diomande?
Diomande started his career with OS Abobo in his native Ivory Coast before being spotted by Midtjylland.
The teenager earned his move to Denmark in January 2022 and come August, he was loaned out to Mafra in Portugal’s second division.
Diomande has been playing regularly for Mafra this season and has now recoded 16 appearances, one goal and one assist.
A centre back by trade, Diomande has been so good for Mafra that Sporting want to keep him in Portugal.
Hailed as a ‘fast player’ and ‘very aggressive’ by Mafra boss Ricardo Sousa, Diomande has been showing huge potential at just 18.
Arsenal may well fancy Diomande as one for the future and they have a decent record with Ivorian talents.
Both Kolo Toure and Emmanuel Eboue signed for Arsenal as youngsters before turning into regular first-team players.
Diomande could now be viewed as a similar kind of talent by Edu, with the exciting young defender now on Arsenal’s radar.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
