Arsenal frontrunners to sign 20-year-old previously linked to Chelsea: Reports
Mikel Arteta's Arsenal are in pole position to sign Sporting CP's Ousmane Diomande in the upcoming transfer window, as per Sport Witness. Ivory Coast defender Ousmane Diomande was also linked with Enzo Maresca's Chelsea and Pep Guardiola's Manchester City during the summer transfer window.
The 20-year-old joined the Portuguese giants Sporting CP from Midtjylland in January 2023. He has made 65 appearances for Sporting, bagging four goals and an assist.
Diomande has started six out of eight league games for the Portuguese giants in the 2024-25 campaign. Additionally, he has helped the side keep five clean sheets in the Portuguese league.
As per Portuguese news outlets, Mikel Arteta's Arsenal are the frontrunners to sign the 20-year-old defender. Ousmane Diomande reportedly has a release clause of €80 million in his contract. Nevertheless, the Gunners will aim to negotiate the price for the Ivory Coast defender.
Diomande is also a crucial part of manager Ruben Amorin's playing XI. However, there have been rumors of the Portuguese manager exiting the club and moving to the Premier League next season, which will make a transfer easier.
Arsenal star on Real Madrid's transfer radar for the next summer transfer window: Reports
Carlo Ancelotti's Real Madrid have made Arsenal's William Saliba their top transfer target for the next summer transfer window, as per Le10Sport. According to the report, the La Liga giants are already in contact with the French defender's representatives.
The Santiago Bernabeu outfit were also in talks with former LOSC Lille defender Leny Yoro in the summer. However, the Frenchman ended up joining Erik ten Hag's Manchester United.
Former Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger will turn 32, while Austria's David Alaba will be 33 at the start of the next session. As a result, the La Liga giants are keen to sign a long-term defensive partner for Eder Militao of Brazil.
In addition to that, Los Blancos are also heavily linked with Liverpool star Trent Alexander Arnold. Dani Carvajal suffered an ACL injury during Madrid's 2-0 win over Villarreal last week. He has undergone successful surgery for the injury. However, his return date is uncertain as his season has already come to an end.