Arsenal and Chelsea set for £51m transfer battle over Sporting Lisbon star

Arsenal are currently preparing for a bidding war over the Sporting Lisbon star Ousmane Diomande. The Gunners have reportedly matched the Chelsea's offer for the 20-year-old defender as Mikel Arteta grows keen to bolster his defensive options ahead of the 2024/25 campaign.

The Emirates club enjoyed a quiet January but are looking to make up for their lack of action in the summer with noise already circulating that they are set to poach Diomande's teammate Viktor Gyokeres having cooled their interest in Ivan Toney.

Diomande has been an impressively influential part of Ruben Amorim's side in the Primeira Liga and, as such, as attracted interest from London as well as Bayern Munich and Newcastle. Initially, it appeared Mauricio Pochetinno's side was leading the way with a transfer chase of €60 million (£51m) plus bonuses. However, according to the Record, the Gunners have now matched their rival's bid for the Ivory Coast international.

According to reports from The Sun, Sporting value Diomande at £69m and are not in any rush to sell the youngster with his contract currently set to run out in 2027. If Arsenal and Chelsea are therefore serious about their acquisition of the Sporting man, they will both need to cough up a larger offering than the aforementioned £51m.

The Gunners have reportedly been keeping tabs on the defender since 2022 when he was in the Danish SuperLiga club Midtjylland and the Highbury-based club have now informed both the player's camp as well as the player's club that they intend to sign him this summer.

The Ivorian defender joined Amorim's side in 2023 following a year on loan with the Portuguese side Mafra from Midtyjlland. The 6"3' star has already made 29 appearances for Sporting, scoring two goals and providing one assist. He also has five international caps and was part of the squad who would go on to win the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, featuring in two of their group stage matches.