According to Record (via SportWitness), Arsenal will fight with Chelsea sign Sporting Lisbon centre-back Ousmane Diomande during the summer transfer window.
The Gunners have been long-time admirers of the 20-year-old. The first interest in securing his signature was during his stay at Midtjylland, but Sporting won the race in January 2023.
It is now reported by Record that the London giants have informed the Sporting Lisbon board that they are willing to make an approach to the Ivorian star at the end of the campaign.
Chelsea are said to be planning a formal offer of £51.5m plus £17m in add-ons rather than paying the player's £68.5m release clause. Arsenal are now willing to offer the same.
Great talent
Arsenal currently have one of the most established central defensive partnerships in the world. first division. William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes have been the mainstays for some time.
This has not stopped speculation about a new center and Record It seems to suggest that the manager Mikel Arteta wants to incorporate Diomande into the club's ranks during the summer.
The report surprises us because Arsenal are well equipped in the department. They have Jakub Kiwior, Jurrien Timber and Takehiro Tomiyasu to provide defensive cover for the duo.
A move for Diomande this summer likely suggests Kiwior could leave the club, considering Timber joined last summer while Tomiyasu has just signed a new contract.
Diomande would be a fantastic signing for the Gunners. He is a strong center back with good ball play and an aerial and physical presence in the area. He also has the pace to recover.
The Ivorian can play the roles of right and left centre-back, as his position has been constantly swapped in Sporting's back three. Arsenal should have an advantage over Chelsea in the race.
The Gunners are ready to return to the Champions League for one more campaign while Chelsea could be left without European football. This could be a big advantage for the Gunners over the Blues.
