ARSENAL are set for a bidding war over Sporting Lisbon star Ousmane Diomande after matching Chelsea’s offer ahead of the summer transfer window.
The Gunners’ manager Mikel Arteta is keen to bolster his defence at the end of the season and Diomande, 20, has stood out in his eyes after some impressive performances in Portugal.
The centre-back has been so influential for Ruben Amorim’s side that he has attracted interest from the Gunners and the Blues as well as Bayern Munich and Newcastle.
At the beginning it was Chelsea that led the transfer chase with an offer of €60million (£51m), plus bonuses.
According to Record, however, Arsenal have matched their rivals’ bid for the Ivory Coast international.
However, Sporting value Diomande at €80m (£69m) and are in no rush to sell as his contract doesn’t run out until 2027.
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Therefore, both Premier League giants may have to cough up a larger sum for the Ivorian’s services.
However, the same source claims there’s a strong possibility the African star will leave the Estadio Jose Alvalade in the summer.
Arsenal have been keeping tabs on the defender since 2022 when he was in still Midtjylland’s books.
And now the North Londoners have informed both the player’s camp as well as Sporting about their intention to sign him.
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Diomande joined the Lisbon giants last year despite not making a single appearance for Midtjylland, who loaned him out to Portuguese minnows Mafra in his one and only year with the Danish outfit.
The towering defender has since amassed a total of two goals and one assist in 29 appearances with the Primeira Liga team.
Arsenal and Chelsea are currently focused on the Premier League as Arteta’s men are pushing for a first title since 2004.
Mauricio Pochettino’s men, on the other hand, are languishing in the bottom half of the table with five points separating them from seventh place, which usually leads to European qualification.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
