Mikel Arteta and Ousmane Diomande (Photograph by Michael Regan, Lars Baron/Getty Photographs)
Arsenal and Chelsea are each preserving a detailed eye on Sporting Lisbon defender Ousmane Diomande forward of this summer season, CaughtOffside understands.
The proficient younger Ivory Coast worldwide has lengthy been on the radar of a number of prime golf equipment round Europe, and it’s presently Arsenal and Chelsea exhibiting the strongest curiosity in him.
Sources with a detailed understanding of Diomande’s state of affairs have instructed CaughtOffside that his present launch clause of €80m is seen as too excessive by the London giants.
As an alternative, there’s a feeling that they can negotiate that right down to one thing extra like an preliminary €50m, with some doable bonuses and clauses to fulfill Sporting.
Nonetheless, CaughtOffside understands Sporting are assured of their €80m stance as they consider Diomande will seemingly produce other big-name suitors from round Europe this summer season.
Ousmane Diomande to Arsenal or Chelsea?
Diomande seems to be like he has a giant future within the sport, so this could possibly be a vital summer season for his profession as a transfer maybe seems to be inevitable.
Sporting are clear they’ll be no pushovers, although, so it will likely be as much as Arsenal, Chelsea or anybody else to provide you with a great proposal.
The 21-year-old may also certainly have a giant say over his subsequent vacation spot, nonetheless, so it will likely be attention-grabbing to see if he opts for the Emirates Stadium or Stamford Bridge.
For now, Arsenal most likely seems to be just like the extra interesting undertaking, nevertheless it’s additionally tougher to think about Diomande would begin recurrently for Mikel Arteta’s facet.
Arsenal have already got William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes as their first-choice central defence, whereas the likes of Jurrien Timber, Ben White, Jakub Kiwior and Riccardo Calafiori may also fill in there.
Diomande would most likely play extra at Chelsea, the place Enzo Maresca seems to be in want of somebody to come back in as an improve on barely inconsistent performers like Levi Colwill, Tosin Adarabioyo and Benoit Badiashile, whereas Wesley Fofana has additionally confirmed actually damage inclined throughout his time in west London.
