Arsenal target first January signing: Arteta ‘won’t give up’ on rising star

Robin Bairner

• Updated: 11 Oct 2024 13:43 BST
• 6 min read

Arsenal have been watching Sporting CP closely in recent months to keep tabs on striker Viktor Gyokeres – but he is not the only player at the Portuguese giants they have been following.

Mikel Arteta is also refusing to give up on the pursuit of Ousmane Diomande, a 20-year-old centre-back who has been in Lisbon for little over a year, having completed a move from Midtjylland for €7.4 million in 2023.

Of course, Arsenal have long been linked with a potential move for the Ivory Coast international, who was rumoured to be the target of a switch for the Emirates club during the January transfer window.

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Current ETV

Ousmane Diomande

D (CR)

Sporting CP

Ousmane Diomande

D (CR)

Sporting CP

€9.7M

ETV Range

€7.3M - €12.2M

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Manchester United, Newcastle and Real Madrid have also been linked with the centre-back in the past, but Record reports that Arsenal’s interest in the player persists, with the Gunners particularly attentive to his performances in the Champions League.

Diomande had an asking price of €60m on his head during the summer months but no offers were received.

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Saliba backup or Timber alternative?

The defender has been likened to Jurrien Timber because of his ability to play both in the centre, where he is being used this season to plug the gap left by the departed Sebastian Coates, and on the left of a back three, where he was more readily utilised last season.

In addition, his capacity to build play from the back is reminiscent of what both Timber and William Saliba bring Arsenal. He is happy both carrying the ball out of defence with his feet or using his technical abilities to pass his way out of trouble.

Diomande's playing style vs Saliba

“I've always been someone who, as a player, likes to have the ball and here we have a coach who values having the ball from the back,” he confirmed to O Jogo.

If Arsenal were to sign the youngster, he would likely slot into a backup role for one of these players, spelling danger in particular for Jakub Kiwior, whose opportunities have been limited this season.