Arsenal are leading the Premier League during the international break – but are poised to strengthen their squad further
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta arrives for a training session(Image credit: ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images)
Arsenal are targeting a Sporting superstar, as manager Mikel Arteta looks to improve his squad even further this summer.
The Gunners are top of the Premier League table during the international break on goal difference, with Liverpool and Manchester City dropping points in their recent draw. But despite how good Arsenal have been this season, Arteta reportedly wants to improve the side even further.
A striker is top of the priority list, with a few forwards touted for a move, while midfielders and wingers have been mentioned, too – yet one potential arrival from Sporting may prove to be the most important of the lot.
Arsenal are enjoying a good season (Image credit: Getty Images)
Portuguese reports are heavily linking Ivorian centre-back Ousmane Diomande with a move to north London: O Jogo touted a move earlier this month, with Recordreiterating the links and claiming that Arsenal's interest stems back to January 2023.
Arsenal have not been linked with a centre-back in the British media but the need for one is vital. William Saliba has played every minute in the Premier League this season and with Arsenal lacking a commanding figure to replace him in the event of injury, another player able to fill the role would be a sensible piece of business.
Though another Portuguese outlet, A Bola, claims that Arsenal are leading the race for the defender, price may be an issue. Diomande has a release clause of €80 million and no shortage of suitors on the continent.
Ousmane Diomande would strengthen Arsenal's depth (Image credit: Getty Images)
In FourFourTwo's view, Arsenal can't pass up the opportunity to sign the 20-year-old – but the move could well hinge on other business, with another attacker integral. If Arteta commits over £100m to a new striker, Arsenal signing Diomande could be determined by how much they recoup by selling the likes of Eddie Nketiah and Reiss Nelson.
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Diomande is valued to be worth €40m by Transfermarkt.
Mark White has been at on FourFourTwo since joining in January 2020, first as a staff writer before becoming content editor in 2023. An encyclopedia of football shirts and boots knowledge – both past and present – Mark has also represented FFT at both FA Cup and League Cup finals (though didn't receive a winners' medal on either occasion) and has written pieces for the mag ranging on subjects from Bobby Robson's season at Barcelona to Robinho's career. He has written cover features for the mag on Mikel Arteta and Martin Odegaard, and is assisted by his cat, Rosie, who has interned for the brand since lockdown.
