Arsenal Newsnow: Arsenal is competing with Sporting Clube de Portugal for the signing of Ousmane Diomande
Arsenal Newsnow: Bruno Andrade, a reporter for Mais Futebol and CNN Portugal, says as much in a Twitter conversation over Diomande’s future. Andrade believes that Sporting is aggressively pursuing a deal to capture Diomande. But, they have only offered €5 million (£4.4 million) for the defender’s services.
Before being scouted by Midtjylland, Diomande began his professional career in his home country of Ivory Coast with OS Abobo. The kid was loaned out to Mafra of Portugal’s second division in August 2022, after having earned his transfer to Denmark in January 2022.
Arsenal Newsnow: About the matter?
As of right now, Diomande has recorded 16 appearances, one goal, and one assist for Mafra this season. Diomande’s performance as centre defence for Mafra has been so impressive that rival club Sporting Lisbon wants to retain him in Portugal. Diomande, just 18 years old, has been praised as a “fast player” and “very combative” by Mafra head Ricardo Sousa.
Ousmane Diomandé está bem referenciado, mas caminha para ser "descartado" pelo Sporting. Midtjylland colocou um "preço não quero vender" pelo jovem central: cerca de 10 M€. Leões estão nos 5 M€. Há intereesados no futebol inglês, como o Arsenal
— Bruno Andrade (@brunoandrd) January 18, 2023
Since Arsenal has a respectable track record with Ivorian prospects, they may see Diomande as a player for the future. Emmanuel Eboue and Kolo Toure both joined Arsenal as young players. They eventually established themselves as regulars in the starting lineup. It’s possible that Arsenal’s recent interest in promising young defender Adama Diomande will make him seem to Edu like a player of comparable calibre.
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The Gunners are set to sign Leandro Trossard
Although Arsenal was unable to sign Mykhailo Mudryk, they may have made a better move by pursuing Brighton’s Leandro Trossard. As reported by football.london, the Gunners began negotiations for a transfer of the Belgian striker on Thursday afternoon. They have now settled on a deal of £21 million plus add-ons.
Because of recent tensions with Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi, Arsenal are reportedly close to signing Trossard. They have been monitoring the player since his days at Genk. Trossard’s agent issued a statement requesting the club transfer the attacker this month after the Belgium international was left out of the matchday squad owing to his “bad attitude.”
Since he was unable to get Mudryk last week and Raphinha in the summer, Mikel Arteta has been looking to add a versatile forward. Trossard’s versatility might prove to be crucial. Despite Eddie Nketiah’s great play after the World Cup, Gabriel Jesus will be sidelined until next month due to an injury. He will likely be reinserted into the starting lineup once he is well.
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