EXCLUSIVE: Arsenal Are Yet To Show Formal Interest In Ousmane Diomande | OneFootball

Arsenal have been linked with a move for Sporting CP defender Ousmane Diomande in recent weeks, with the Ivory Coast international’s status in the football world growing by the game. The former FC Midtjylland defender has become a staple in the starting line-up at the Lisbon club under Ruben Amorim this season and has gathered a lot of interest from various clubs across Europe while doing so.

The Gunners are one of the clubs that have been reported to have interest in the 20-year-old, and we can confirm that the interest is true. The club are following the trajectory of the young defender, but at present, there is nothing more concrete. It is simply the club keeping tabs on a highly rated player.

Sporting Lisbon’s Ivorian defender #26 Ousmane Diomande celebrates after scoring his team’s second goal during the Portuguese league football match between Gil Vicente FC and Sporting CP, at the Cidade de Barcelos stadium in Barcelos on April 12, 2024. (Photo by MIGUEL RIOPA / AFP) (Photo by MIGUEL RIOPA/AFP via Getty Images)

No Formal Interest From Arsenal For Diomande:

We understand that despite Arsenal being interested in Ousmane Diomande, they have not shown any formal interest in signing the player. There has been no formal contact between any of the parties as of yet, and Diomande remains very firmly a Sporting CP player heading into the summer transfer window.

The Ivorian has a £68 million release clause in his contract at the Portuguese club, which could be triggered this summer if a club was interested enough to do so. Diomande has featured 23 times in Liga Portugal for Sporting this season, with his team currently sitting at the top of the league, seven points clear of the nearest challengers, Porto.

The former OS Abobo youth player has featured four times for his country so far in his career, at just 20. He made two appearances in the group stage of the African Cup of Nations, as Ivory Coast went on to win the entire tournament. His trajectory has been incredible, and there is a belief among many that he will only continue to get better in the coming seasons.

Arsenal are second in the Premier League but suffered a huge blow at the weekend, losing 2-0 to Aston Villa and handing Manchester City the key to go on and win the league if they dare. The interest is there in Diomande, but it’s a case of following his progression at the moment and nothing more serious or noteworthy. Arsenal have a list of a lot of other players they are following, which is the normal protocol for a club as big as the Gunners.

Diomande is contracted at Sporting until June 2027 Arsenal have made a formal bid or contact with the club regarding Diomande are also untrue, with the speculation all just media talk and noise at the moment.