Fabrizio Romano confirms Arsenal hold a long-time interest in Sporting Lisbon defender Ousmane Diomande amid claims that a £70 million move to the Premier League giants could be on the cards in 2024.
Then again, if you had been following this story closely, you might know this already.
According to reports, Arsenal showed an interest in one of Europe’s most exciting young centre-halves before he swapped Midtjylland for Sporting Lisbon during the January transfer window. The Gunners then submitted a £30 million bid a few months later, per Record.
Arsenal like Sporting Lisbon defender Ousmane Diomande
“Arsenal have been linked strongly with Sporting Lisbon defender Ousmane Diomande by the Portuguese press,” Romano explains on his Here We Go podcast.
And, refusing to accept defeat, a new and improved offer is already in the pipeline. Record suggest that Arsenal may be tempted to trigger the £70 million release clause in Ousmane Diomande’s contract in the New Year.
“I’m told he’s a player they’ve been tracking for a long time. But it’s not only Arsenal (watching him). There are three or four clubs monitoring Diomande for the future,” Romano adds.
“It was never a negotiation this summer. As he wasn’t for sale.”
Arsenal’s next big signing
The 6ft 3ins Ivory Coast international – who won’t even celebrate his 20th birthday until December – possesses many of the attributes Mikel Arteta looks for in a centre-half. Equally impressive when starting attacks as he is stopping them, Diomande did his chances of a big-money move to the Emirates no harm in the spring, shining as Sporting knocked Arsenal out of the Europa League.
“Diomande started training here when he was 10,” says OS Bobo chief Amza Gamal; president of the club where the towering teenager began his career back home in the Ivory Coast.
“He is very technical and shows a lot of intelligence playing short and long passes. He has a good sense of anticipation. Added to these qualities, he also has speed and is efficient in his duels.
“Sporting is a great European club, which plays good football. I am convinced that Diomande will continue to evolve. (I think) he will be one of the best central defenders in the world.”
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