Arsenal REFUSE to end pursuit of €80m wonderkid

Cameron Smith

24 Sept 2023 13:16 BST
3 min read

Mikel Arteta, Arsenal, 2023/24 — © ProShots

Arsenal are reportedly refusing to give up on Sporting CP defender Ousmane Diomande, despite his €80 million release clause.

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Diomande, 19, only joined Sporting from FC Midtjylland in January, but has been heavily touted for a move away after an excellent start to life in Lisbon.

The Ivorian caught Arsenal’s eye during their Europa League defeat to Sporting last season and the Gunners are keen on adding Diomande to their defensive unit.

Earlier in September, Portuguese newspaper Record claimed that the Gunners offered Sporting €35m for Diomande this summer, but that bid was quickly rejected.

However, according to Record, Arsenal have ‘promised’ to return with another proposal for Diomande next summer, although Sporting will only sell the teenager for his €80m release clause.

Now, The Express have reported that Mikel Arteta’s side “have no plans to withdraw their interest” in Diomande, with the club said to be tracking his situation at Sporting ahead of the January transfer window.

Diomande to join Arsenal?

Arsenal signed Jurrien Timber for €40m from Ajax this summer, but the Dutch international suffered a potentially season-ending ACL injury on his Premier League debut against Nottingham Forest.

Thomas Partey has also featured in defence this campaign, although he is now currently injured too.

Arteta appears to have settled on his tried and trusted back four of Benjamin White, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes and Oleksandr Zinchenko, but the north London side are keen on acquiring Diomande to add to that defensive unit.

Diomande's current deal in Lisbon isn’t due to expire until 2027, however, after signing a four-and-a-half year deal in January.

The Ivory Coast international has made six appearances for Sporting in all competitions so far this campaign, and he has scored two goals and provided two assists during that time, despite playing at centre-back.

Sporting are currently third in the Primeira Liga, three points behind leaders FC Porto with a game in hand. Boavista are second on goal difference.