94% passing: Arsenal in the picture to sign 21yo Primeira Liga star, €80m clause in contract

Arsenal and Chelsea are potential candidates to sign Sporting CP defender Ousmane Diomande, according to Portuguese outlet Record (page 14).

The Ivory Coast international signed for the Primeira Liga outfit from Midtjylland in January 2023 and has since evolved into a key player in the heart of their defence.

Diomande’s current contract with Sporting expires in June 2027, and Record today claim that his future could be uncertain beyond next summer’s transfer window.

Galatasaray have been mentioned as an interested club through Turkish outlets this month, but it is reported that Sporting have not received any formal approach for the player.

The Portuguese champions are unlikely to entertain Diomande’s exit until next summer. Record go on to mention Premier League interest from Arsenal and Chelsea in the 21-year-old.

Diomande has a release clause worth €80 million (£71m) in his Sporting deal.

Arsenal unlikely to pursue another centre-back

The Gunners are well-equipped in the central defensive department. William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes are undisputed starters in the Premier League and Champions League games when fit.

Arsenal signed Cristhian Mosquera and Piero Hincapie (loan with buy obligation) last summer, and the duo are considered the immediate backup options for Saliba and Gabriel in the line-up.

Aside from them, manager Mikel Arteta could deploy Jurrien Timber, Riccardo Calafiori or Ben White in the role. With seven solid options in the squad, there is no need for further reinforcement.

Saliba’s future was a topic of discussion amid Real Madrid’s interest earlier this year, but the Frenchman recently signed a new long-term contract, putting an end to the transfer speculation.

With Saliba committed to the Gunners, the club are unlikely to pursue another right-footed centre-back.

Diomande could still end up in the Premier League in future. He has a passing accuracy of 94 percent in the Primeira Liga this season and has won 69 percent of his aerial duels contested.

He has averaged six recoveries and five clearances per outing, but still needs to work on cutting down on errors. He has been guilty of making mistakes, directly leading to opposition goals in the past.

Arsenal may not make an approach for Diomande, but Chelsea or any other Premier League club could enter the race. Crystal Palace were keen last summer and could weigh up a fresh offer.

Stats from Transfermarkt.com & Sofascore.com

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