Arsenal have been linked with Sporting Lisbon defender Ousmane Diomande in recent months.
For instance, Record claimed in summer that the Gunners had got in touch over a potential move for the 19-year-old.
Now, with the January transfer window looming, speculation linking Arsenal with Diomande is doing the rounds once again.
The Portuguese outlet has reported that the Gunners have ‘guaranteed’ to Sporting that they’ll return for the defender in 2024.
Arsenal apparently tried their luck with a €35million (£30million) bid in summer, but the player reportedly boasts a €80million (£69million) release clause.
Sporting aren’t expected to sell him for much less than that, at least in the January transfer window, added the report.
As well as Arsenal, Real Madrid are also in ‘pole position’ to sign Diomande and teammate Goncalo Inacio.
Arsenal target Ousmane Diomande deemed ‘one of the most exciting young talents in Europe’
Diomande would be a great shout for Arsenal as he has been deemed one of the best young players in the world.
For instance, Scouted’s Scouted50 – which lists the next 50 breakout talents to watch across this new season – features the reported Gunners target at number five.
They wrote: “He ticks the boxes of the extreme demands elite teams now place on their centre-backs.
“He’s big and fast, a dominant defender in duels and solid in the air, calm and confident in possession, as well as remarkably two-footed on the ball.
“The Ivorian will be Sporting’s next big sale to the elite of the elite.”
Meanwhile, Football Talent Scout deemed him “one of the most exciting young talents in Europe” earlier this year.
His main strengths are his physicality, his vision and his speed, added the scouting report.
If Diomande continues on his trajectory, he could well be the talk of the 2024 windows, and Arsenal should continue to feature prominently on the rumour mill.
The post Report: Arsenal 'guaranteed' to make move for £69m gem who's one of the top five rising stars in the world appeared first on TBR Football.
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