Arsenal are facing competition from Chelsea in the race to sign talented Sporting Lisbon defender Ousmane Diomande, according to Record.
The Portuguese club has a reputation for nurturing top talents, and Diomande appears to be the latest promising young player to emerge from their ranks.
The 19-year-old primarily operates as a centre-back for Sporting and has already earned caps for the Ivory Coast national team. In the current season, he has made eight appearances in Liga Portugal, scoring once and contributing one assist.
Arsenal have held a long-standing interest in the attacker, and during the summer transfer window, they reportedly had a bid of approximately £30 million turned down.
Now, the Gunners are facing increased competition as Chelsea have entered the race to sign the Sporting star before the January transfer window.
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This development comes after the Blues sent scouts to observe him in action for the Ivory Coast against Morocco recently.
Diomande is under contract with Sporting until 2027, and it includes a release clause valued at around £70 million, as stated by Record. While the Portuguese club is seeking to secure a new deal with the defender, it’s unlikely that his release clause will be raised.
It’s worth noting that Chelsea have sometimes made expensive signings for unproven talents in the past, which didn’t always yield the desired results.
While Diomande is an exciting young player, it may not be wise to pay an exorbitant transfer fee for his signature.
Portuguese clubs often incorporate huge release clauses to deter players from departing for low fees. Therefore, both Arsenal and Chelsea should be careful and avoid overpaying if they decide to pursue the youngster.
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Chelsea and Arsenal would be wise to keep a close eye on his development throughout the season, as he appears to be a highly promising prospect.
However, if they are genuinely convinced of his potential, any potential bid should be made in the upcoming summer transfer window rather than rushing into a deal.
