Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has been linked with defensive reinforcements (Image: Getty)
may feel they need to rush a £51million move for reported target Ousmane Diomande to prevent from beating them to the Sporting CP star’s signature. The Gunners have been linked with defensive reinforcements this month and could be without for an extended period.
admitted that he was “very worried” about Saliba after the Frenchman missed Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Aston Villa. are waiting to learn the full extent of his hamstring problem.
The north Londoners had been linked with new defenders even before Saliba’s injury. “[Sunday] we will have more information. Tomorrow we will have another test on him and it will be more clear,” Arteta said.
“For sure [I’m worried]. Especially with the numbers that we have in the squad and looking at our bench. Very worried.”
Sporting star Diomande is a widely reported target for Arteta.
However, the Ivorian also has interest from and, according to , he prefers a move to London – leaving battling the Blues to complete a deal. Diomande has emerged as one of Europe’s best young defenders and shone under now- boss in Portugal.
Saliba and Gabriel have excelled as ’s centre-back partnership but both players have missed large parts of the season through injury. Arteta lacks depth and will be tempted by a move for Diomande, who would initially add depth before competing for a regular starting role.
may need to rush through a deal this month, though, with hot on their heels. The Blues have also struggled for quality at centre-back, where Levi Colwill needs a regular long-term partner. Diomande would be an excellent addition and fit within ’s criteria of signing young players with promise.
Arsenal and Chelsea have been linked with Ousmane Diomande amid his Sporting CP form (Image: Getty)
Completing the signing of Diomande this month would give the added bonus of the player learning under Arteta for six months before being thrust into more regular involvement before next term. The Gunners will be expected to mount a better title challenge in 2025-26.
Beating to a deal for Diomande would be imperative as will seek to prevent their rivals from mopping up the best young talent in Europe. Diomande could also be Saliba’s partner for the next decade.
Signing Diomande now rather than waiting until the summer – when more clubs enter the race to acquire the 21-year-old – would be ’s best route to landing their top centre-back target.