Ruben Amorim wants Manchester United to sign Arsenal target to bolster squad - Reports
According to The Sun, incoming Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim wants the club to sign Arsenal target Ousmane Diomande. The Portuguese manager is all set to take charge at Old Trafford as Erik ten Hag's replacement on November 11, the Red Devils have announced.
Amorim has already identified the central defense as an area he wants to improve. Manchester United are well stocked at the back following the arrival of the likes of Leny Yoro and Matthijs de Ligt this summer.
With Lisandro Martinez also in their books, the Red Devils could be ready for Amorim's three-man defense. However, with Victor Lindelof, Harry Maguire, and Jonny Evans are likely to leave at the end of this season, the English giants could need a new centre-back in 2025.
Diomande - who was reportedly wanted by Arsenal in recent times - is one of the emerging stars in European football and has been outstanding under Amorim at Sporting CP. He joined the Portuguese giants from Midtjylland last year in a £6.1m deal and has a £70m release clause in his deal.
The 20-year-old remains indispensable for Sporting, who are unlikely to let him go unless his release clause is triggered. Meanwhile, Arsenal could also rekindle their interest in the Ivorian amid growing interest in William Saliba.
The Frenchman has enjoyed a spectacular rise at the Emirates and has already earned admirers at Real Madrid. With Los Blancos actively looking for a new defender, the Gunners are preparing contingency plans.
Should the LaLiga giants manage to prise Saliba away, the north London giants could turn to Diomande. However, they will face competition from Manchester United for the Ivorian.
How have Manchester United and Arsenal last won a trophy?
Manchester United and Arsenal have endured contrasting fortunes in recent seasons. The Gunners have been challenging for the title in the past two campaigns, narrowly missing out on both occasions.
The Red Devils, meanwhile, finished eighth in the table last season, 29 points behind the north London side. However, it must also be noted that Arsenal have failed to win a major silverware in the last two campaigns, unlike Manchester United.
Erik ten Hag won the League Cup in the 2022-23 campaign and won the FA Cup last season. However, it wasn't enough as a poor start to the campaign proved his bane.
The Gunners, meanwhile, last won the FA Cup in 2020. However, Mikel Arteta has also won the Community Shield in 2020 and 2023.