Ousmane Diomande to Arsenal transfer latest as Sporting CP set price tag

Sporting CP defender Ousmane Diomande is the latest player to be heavily linked with a transfer to Arsenal.

The summer transfer window may be over but that hasn't stopped speculation regarding potential players that Mikel Arteta wants to bring to the Emirates Stadium. A number of reports from Portugal have claimed that the Gunners are keen on talented youngster Diomande, who has established himself as one of Europe's most promising central defenders in recent times.

So, football.london has rounded up everything that has been reported on the 19-year-old's future below.

Arsenal tracking player

According to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, Arsenal have been tracking Diomande for some time now, although they will face stiff competition for the teenager.

“Arsenal, meanwhile, have been linked strongly with Sporting Lisbon defender Ousmane Diomande by the Portuguese press,” Romano told Caught Offside. “I’m told he’s a player they’ve been tracking for a long time, but it’s not only Arsenal.

"There are three or four clubs monitoring Diomande for the future, but it was never a negotiation this summer as he wasn’t for sale."

Bid rejected

Arsenal remain interested in Diomande and have promised to return next summer, according to Portuguese outlet Record.Sporting are said to have rejected a €35million (£30million) offer from the Gunners during the summer transfer window. Ruben Amorim's side are preparing a salary increase for the 19-year-old and have reminded interested clubs that his release clause is set at €80million (£68million).

January interest

Sporting signed Diomande during the January transfer window, completing a deal worth in the region of £11million.

But at the time, the Gunners were also credited with an interest in the Ivory Coast international. Portuguese transfer guru Bruno Andrade reported that Mikel Arteta's side were keen on recruiting the youngster to the Emirates Stadium.

Player profiled

Want to know more about Diomande's play-style and attributes? Well, fear not.