Arsenal continue to pursue deal and new £73m target emerges

Arsenal were one of the busiest teams during the summer transfer window but it is expected that further signings will be made in the January transfer window in a bid to add further squad depth.

Central defence is one area of huge interest to Mikel Arteta, particularly after the departure of Rob Holding and the ACL injury to new recruit Jurrien Timber.

One possible target for Arteta is likely to be teenage prospect Ousmane Diomande.

Diomande is a 19-year-old Ivory Coast defender who has already won one international cap at senior level.

The 6ft3 defender was a graduate from the Midtjylland academy in Denmark, but he made his professional debut during a loan spell in Portugal’s second tier with C.D Mafra.

His impressive form during his time in Portugal caught the attention of Sporting CP who signed the player for a figure of around £7m. Diomande instantly became a first team regular in the Portuguese capital and he played 13 games in the second half of last season as his team finished 4th in the League.

Diomande remains an ever-present in the team this season and Sporting turned down the opportunity to make a quick profit on the player with Arsenal offering £35m in the summer, according to Portuguese outlet Record.

The Ivory Coast defender will compete in the Europa League this season and his side have been paired with Atlanta, SK Sturm Graz and Raków Częstochowa.

Arsenal scouts will likely be in attendance for a number of those games and reports from Football.London claim that they are still interested in the prospect.

Arsenal target former £73m Euro finalist

Arsenal are blessed with an abundance of attacking talent with Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard all playing in the wide options.

But the Gunners are keen to add further strength to that area and recent events have intensified rumours of a move for Jadon Sancho.

The former Borussia Dortmund man has struggled for form since arriving at Old Trafford and reports from the Daily Mail suggest the player has had enough after going public with his criticism of manager Erik Ten Hag.

Ten Hag has previously labelled Sancho as a poor trainer and he was left out of the squad entirely for the game against Arsenal last time out.

Sancho claims he’d been “scapegoated for a long time” by his manager in a social media post, prompting further rumours of a departure.

Football.London has described Arsenal as a potential destination for the player and right wing is an area where Arteta reportedly wants more competition.