Arsenal frontrunners to sign 20-year-old previously linked to Chelsea: Reports

Mikel Arteta's Arsenal are in pole position to sign Sporting CP's Ousmane Diomande in the upcoming transfer window, as per Sport Witness. Ivory Coast defender Ousmane Diomande was also linked with Enzo Maresca's Chelsea and during the summer transfer window.

The 20-year-old joined Sporting CP from Midtjylland in January 2023 and has made 65 appearances for the Portuguese giants.

Diomande has started six out of seven league games for the Portuguese giants in the 2024-25 campaign. Additionally, he has helped the side keep five clean sheets in the Portuguese league.

As per the Portuguese news outlet Record, Mikel Arteta's Arsenal are the frontrunners to sign the 20-year-old defender. Ousmane Diomande reportedly has a release clause of €80 million in his contract. Nevertheless, the Gunners will aim to negotiate the price for the Ivory Coast defender.

Diomande is also a crucial part of manager Ruben Amorin's playing XI. However, there have been rumors of the Portuguese manager exiting the club and moving to the Premier League next season, which will make a potential transfer easier.

Arsenal star on Real Madrid's transfer radar for the next summer transfer window: Reports

Carlo Ancelotti's Real Madrid have made Arsenal's William Saliba their top transfer target for the next summer transfer window, as per Le10Sport. According to the report, the La Liga giants are already in contact with the French defender's representatives.

The Santiago Bernabeu outfit were also in talks with former LOSC Lille defender Leny Yoro in the summer. However, the Frenchman ended up joining Erik ten Hag's Manchester United.

Former Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger will turn 32, while Austria's David Alaba will be 33 at the start of the next session. As a result, the La Liga giants are keen to sign a long-term defensive partner for 26-year-old Eder Militao.

Saliba has become an integral member of Mikel Arteta's side, which has challenged Manchester City for the title over the last two seasons after making his debut in the 2022-23 season. He has helped the Gunners keep 40 clean sheets in 92 appearances across competitions.