Monday Morning News- Arsenal are ‘very interested’ in sealing a deal for superb £80M ‘team leader’- first bid rejected but Arsenal will submit another bid with an added €5M- player is keen on Emirates move as he wants to be part of Mikel Arteta’s long time project- Not Vlahovic and not Ivan Toney

Monday Morning News- Arsenal are ‘very interested’ in sealing a deal for superb £80M ‘team leader’- first bid rejected but Arsenal will submit another bid with an added €5M- player is keen on Emirates move as he wants to be part of Mikel Arteta’s long time project- Not Vlahovic and not Ivan Toney

Recent reports from Record (page 14) suggest that Arsenal is expressing a keen interest in acquiring the talented Sporting Lisbon defender Ousmane Diomande. However, the Gunners may find themselves in a competitive race, as both Chelsea and Newcastle United are also eyeing the promising player.

The Gunners have been closely monitoring Diomande for an extended period, even exploring a potential deal when he was with Midtjylland. Despite their initial interest, Sporting secured his services last winter, thwarting Arsenal’s attempts.

Last summer, Arsenal made a substantial €35 million bid to secure Diomande’s signature, but Sporting, reluctant to part ways with their prized centre-back, rejected the offer. Despite this setback, recent reports indicate that Arsenal remains “very interested” in acquiring the young talent, but they are not the only ones, as both Chelsea and Newcastle are keeping a watchful eye on his performances.

Sporting, however, is anticipated to hold out for Diomande’s €80 million release clause in the upcoming January transfer window. Nevertheless, sources suggest that the club might be more amenable to his sale next summer, aiming for a financial boost.

Despite the competition, Arsenal appears to be the favorites to land Diomande. The 19-year-old has proven to be a revelation since his move to Sporting from Midtjylland, showcasing impressive statistics this season. With an average of 62 passes per game at an accuracy of 90%, 1.7 tackles, and five duels won per game, alongside 1.6 clearances, Diomande has demonstrated defensive prowess. Additionally, he averages close to six ball recoveries per outing, indicating room for further improvement with experience.

While Arsenal failed to secure a cost-effective deal earlier this year, it is expected that Diomande will now come at a premium fee. Despite Sporting holding firm on the buy-out clause, Arsenal may explore negotiation strategies, aiming for a more reasonable package of around €50 million for the Ivory Coast international at the end of the season.

Considering the competition from Chelsea and Newcastle, Arsenal needs to take a proactive approach in their pursuit of Diomande. Engaging with the player’s agents to persuade him towards a move could be a key strategy for the Gunners in securing the promising defender.