Arsenal ready to beat Chelsea in race for €80m star

Cameron Smith

• 16 Apr 2024 17:30 BST
• 3 min read

Arsenal are ready to secure the services of Sporting CP defender Ousmane Diomande, according to reports in Portugal.

The 20-year-old is regarded as one of the Gunners’ priority targets for the summer transfer window as Mikel Arteta looks to bolster his backline, despite the fact Jurrien Timber is set to return to full fitness ahead of the 2024-25 campaign.

As per Portuguese outlet O Jogo, Arsenal are preparing to take the necessary steps to sign Diomande this summer.

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Chelsea are also reportedly interested in the Ivory Coast international, although the Gunners have been monitoring Diomande for several years and are seemingly leading the race to purchase him.

The Sporting CP star currently has an €80 million release clause included in his contract. Liverpool have also been touted for a summer move if Ruben Amorim moves to Anfield as Jurgen Klopp’s replacement.

READ MORE: Are Chelsea better without Enzo Fernandez?

Current ETV

Ousmane Diomande

D (C)

Sporting CP

Ousmane Diomande

D (C)

Sporting CP

€20.6M

ETV Range

€15.4M - €25.7M

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Ousmane Diomande to Arsenal?

In March, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano weighed in on Arsenal’s pursuit of Diomande. He told CaughtOffside: “[Viktor] Gyokeres’ Sporting teammate Ousmane Diomande has also been linked with the Gunners very strongly by some sections of the Portuguese press, so what’s really going on with this one?

“I think this story is coming out because Arsenal sent their scouts regularly to follow players in Portugal, like Gyokeres who’s one of the players they have been following for a long time.

“On Diomande, however, I’m not aware of talks or negotiations yet; but there are really many clubs interested, so we’re absolutely far from a solution/negotiation or anything close or concrete yet.”

Diomande, 20, has made 33 appearances in all competitions so far this season, scoring three goals, while his current deal at Sporting runs until 2027.

Arsenal are also interested in his Sporting team-mate Viktor Gyokeres, with the Sweden international their priority striker target ahead of the summer window. He has 36 goals in 43 games for the Portuguese giants this season.