Arsenal have clear path to £43m summer signing as club 'close in' on replacement

Arsenal’s interest in Sporting CP defender Ousmane Diomande could be reignited following reports suggesting the Portuguese side have secured the signing of 20-year-old Belgian defender Zeno Debast from Anderlecht.

The Lions have now reached an agreement with the club and player, meaning they could now sell one of their existing centre-backs. According to reports from Record via SportWitness, the Ivorian 20-year-old is the one ‘at the exit door’ with the Gunners named as one of the clubs seeking his services in the upcoming transfer window. Chelsea and Newcastle have both also been reported to have been interested in the 20-year-old but there currently no signs of any bids being made.

The report does not indicate how much the Lions wish to sell their centre-back for, but previous reports have indicated it would be around €50 (£43m). Diomande has not enjoyed his finest season with Sporting this campaign, hence why the club are more willing to let him go and have brought down his price.

After starting his career with Midtjylland, Diomande headed to the Portuguese club Mafra on loan in 2022 before moving to Sporting in January 2023. His release clause with the club had been set at €80m (£68m) but below par recent performances mean his asking price could well drop considerably.

The Ivorian centre-back has made 28 Primeira Liga appearances, scoring two goals, since joining the club and has been commended for his physicality, vision and speed as well as his short passing, dribbling, positioning, anticipation and tackling attributes.

Diomande is not the only Sporting CP star with whom Arsenal have been linked. The Gunners have long admired the Swedish star Viktor Gyokeres as they seek to sign an in-form out-and-out striker but with the 25-year-old having a release clause of £69m, it appears unlikely Mikel Arteta’s side will be able to afford to acquire his services.