Arsenal ‘have already’ placed a €35m offer for Sporting Club de Portugal defender Ousmane Diomande as they try to get in early ahead of the competition for the player.
That’s according to Record, who say the Portuguese side are certain that the defender will bring in a ‘millionaire income’ and it is just a question of who pays it.
Arsenal are seemingly keen on the defender and have already made a €35m bid for him, which was rejected by Sporting as they are aware that the Gunners are not the only interested party.
Indeed, they believe there are a number of clubs keeping an eye on the Ivory Coast defender and as such will resist any bids for the time being to let the interest pile up.
Negotiations are already underway to try and extend that deal, with Sporting hoping to reward the defender for his performances in the first few months but also protect themselves down the line.
There were some reservations about the €7.5m plus €5m deal they agreed to sign the player but those are now gone, and his price is ‘rising sharply’.
The plan is to reward him with an improved deal that reflects his new status lock him down in another year, although they won’t change his €80m release clause.
That figure is considered the starting point for future negotiations and is the reason why Arsenal’s €35m bid was rejected for him.
