Arsenal refuse to let player ‘out of their sight’ – ‘Identified’ him months ago, interest not dying down

Arsenal have not given up their interest in Sporting Club de Portugal defender Ousmane Diomande and won’t let him ‘out of their sight’.

That’s according to A Bola, who continue the reports in Portugal today making it clear that Arsenal are eyeing up the defender as he continues to impress.

A report earlier today indicated that Arsenal had already seen a €35m bid for Diomande rejected by Sporting, who have no intention of selling the player as his stock rises.

A Bola continue on that thread, stating that the initial concerns over paying €7.5m for Diomande in January are now completely gone and those in charge at Sporting are counting on the player to bring in a big sum in the near future.

The player has continued to impress, particularly in Europe, building on an impressive European debut against Arsenal last season.

It was that game which saw him first showcase himself to the big clubs and show up on their radars and those sides, including the team he helped beat that day, Arsenal, ‘didn’t lose sight’ of him since.

They’ve saw the player further develop himself at Sporting and make his international debut for the Ivory Coast, and scouts from several sides recently watched him take on RB Salzburg.

Arsenal were one of them after they ‘identified’ the player as a possible target months ago and not given up on the idea.

Sporting, for their part, are unconcerned by the interest as they have the player tied to a deal until 2027 that includes an €80m release clause.

That is one of the highest in their squad and means they have ‘high protection’ on a player who is proving to be a star in the making and someone they don’t intend to let go on the cheap.