Arsenal are on the lookout for a new centre-back this summer.
William Saliba has played the last few months with a broken back, and he could be sidelined for quite some time.
Arsenal have been linked with a move to sign Ezri Konsa, but he is valued at £60 million by Aston Villa, who are already upset with the Gunners.
That is a lot of money, especially when someone younger and with higher potential is available on the market for half the money: Ousmane Diomande.
Arsenal fans are urging Andrea Berta to sign the Sporting CP star instead.
Who should replace William Saliba at Arsenal if his injury rules him out for months?
Arsenal fans want Ousmane Diomande signed as a backup for William Saliba
Nottingham Forest are hoping to sign Diomande in a deal worth around £30 million, which is an absolute bargain for a player like him (The Telegraph’s John Percy on X).
Arsenal fans have been divided over Konsa in recent weeks, and many of those who didn’t want the Aston Villa star are now pushing the Gunners to sign Diomande instead.
Reacting to the news, one supporter said: “Ousmane Diomande is the CB Arsenal should be looking at as cover for Saliba. I like Konsa too, but looking at the age, price, and potential, Ousmane has a higher ceiling. We can still hijack the deal from Nottingham Forest if we are proactive enough.”
Another tweeted: “Arsenal should hijack Ousmane Diomande deal to Nottingham Forest. Ousmane Diomande is a quality William Saliba backup and a better bit of business than Ezri Konsa. For £30m, it’s an absolute steal, man.”
“That’s a wonderful fee, way better than Konsa for £60m,” wrote another.
Another Arsenal fan posted: “£30m??? Hijack this one, Berta, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE.”
“How are Arsenal not after him considering the fee, quality and Saliba’s back issues? Much better player than Konsa, and would be a better buy than an injury-prone John Stones,” tweeted another.
Ousmane Diomande wanted to join Arsenal in 2024
Diomande is by no means a new name for Arsenal fans.
The Ivorian was heavily linked with a move to the Emirates a few years ago after breaking into the Sporting CP side and impressing.
In 2024, reports even claimed that Diomande wanted to sign for Arsenal over other interested clubs like Chelsea and Newcastle United.
No move materialised then, but if the defender is really available for anywhere near £30 million, Berta should be all over this deal.
Diomande wouldn’t just be a great backup for Saliba but also a potential successor in the future.
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