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Arsenal monitoring the development of Ousmane Diomande

By Ritayan Chatterjee on September 13, 2023

Arsenal have been monitoring the development of Sporting CP star Ousmane Diomande ahead of a potential move in the upcoming transfer window, as per the transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.

It has recently been reported that The Gunners are interested in the Ivorian and they even tabled a £30m offer to sign the defender this summer. But, Sporting rejected that offer as they weren’t willing to let their star man leave unless his potential suitor such as Arsenal triggered his £69m release clause.

However, writing on Caught Offside, Romano has reported that Arsenal never opened negotiations with Sporting to sign Diomande this summer as he wasn’t up for sale and the North London club didn’t make any official bid either.

The journalist further claims that Arsenal have been keeping a close eye on the 19-year-old’s development for a very long time and they could opt to make a concrete approach to sign him over the coming months.

Diomande to Arsenal

However, Romano states that securing Diomande’s signature won’t be straightforward for the Emirates club as three or four other clubs are also interested in him, though the Italian didn’t reveal the names of those teams.

Romano wrote:

“Arsenal, meanwhile, have been linked strongly with Sporting Lisbon defender Ousmane Diomande by the Portuguese press. I’m told he’s a player they’ve been tracking for a long time, but it’s not only Arsenal. There are three or four clubs monitoring Diomande for the future, but it was never a negotiation this summer as he wasn’t for sale.”

Diomande, standing at 6ft 3in tall, is an extremely talented player and has already showcased glimpses of his talent at the Portuguese top-flight in recent times. So, he would be a shrewd signing for Arsenal with a view to the long-term future should they opt to sign him in the upcoming transfer window.

However, after purchasing Jurrien Timber, the North London club are currently well-resourced in their centre-back position. So it’s looking unlikely that they will look to sign a new centre-back in the upcoming window unless they cash-in on any of their current options.

It is going to be interesting to see whether Arsenal opt to make a concrete approach to sign Diomande over the coming months. However, it will be extremely difficult for Arteta’s side to secure his signature if Sporting stay firm on their £69m valuation.