Arsenal and Chelsea are both closely monitoring Sporting Lisbon defender Ousmane Diomande as they prepare to make moves for the 21-year-old in the summer transfer window. The talented Ivory Coast international is being targeted by top European clubs, with the London giants emerging as the frontrunners for his signature.

Sources indicate that while Diomande’s €80 million release clause has caught the attention of Arsenal and Chelsea, both clubs are wary of the high price tag. Despite being interested in the young centre-back, the Premier League clubs feel that the clause is inflated, with negotiations likely to reduce the fee to a more reasonable €50 million, possibly including performance-related bonuses and clauses to meet Sporting’s demands.

Sporting Lisbon, however, is firm in their €80 million stance, confident that they will attract interest from other big European clubs. The club remains hopeful of triggering a bidding war for the promising defender, with the prospect of several suitors vying for his services. Diomande has shown immense potential at the heart of Sporting’s defence, and with his development progressing rapidly, it’s no surprise that clubs like Arsenal and Chelsea are keeping close tabs on his progress.

Arsenal, in particular, has shown a keen interest in bolstering their defensive options, but the arrival of Diomande could prove challenging due to the current strength of their central defence. Mikel Arteta’s side already boasts the likes of William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhães as first-choice centre-backs, while the versatility of players like Jurrien Timber, Ben White, and Jakub Kiwior provides added depth. Despite this, the allure of adding a young talent like Diomande to the squad could still make sense for the Gunners, as they look to build a more formidable future.

On the other hand, Chelsea may present a more immediate opportunity for Diomande, with the Blues in need of defensive reinforcements. Their current centre-back options, including Levi Colwill, Tosin Adarabioyo, and Benoît Badiashile, have been inconsistent, and injuries to Wesley Fofana have only added to their defensive woes. With Enzo Maresca in need of a reliable presence at the back, Diomande could become a key figure in Chelsea’s plans moving forward, with his potential for regular playing time perhaps making the Stamford Bridge project more appealing for the young defender.

While the two London clubs are both vying for his signature, Diomande himself will have a significant say in where he ends up. The defender will no doubt weigh up his options carefully, considering both the long-term potential and immediate playing opportunities at Arsenal and Chelsea. For now, Arsenal may have the edge in terms of project appeal, but it remains to be seen whether Diomande would be willing to fight for a starting spot with Arteta’s well-established defence. Ultimately, the next few months could prove decisive in determining where the highly-rated centre-back will take his talents next season.