Arteta now personally pushing to sign £68m target who Arsenal shortlisted in 2021

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Arsenal are targeting a defender in the upcoming transfer window, and Mikel Arteta is now personally pushing for a long-term target.

Injuries to Takehiro Tomiyasu and Jurrien Timber have left Arsenal short at the back, and having seen the title slip away last season after an injury to William Saliba, Arteta clearly wants to add extra quality depth to his back line.

This could come in the form of Sporting CP centre-back Ousmane Diomande. The 20-year-old has been outstanding for the Portuguese giants, and Arteta has coveted him for a long time.

Mikel Arteta pushing for Ousmane Diomande deal

A report from Portuguese outlet O Jogo has now revealed that Arsenal’s pursuit of Diomande is being heavily pushed by Arteta himself, who has been on the Gunners’ radar since 2021, when he was an 18-year-old playing for FC Midtjylland in Denmark.

Diomande has a release clause of around £68m, and this will not be a cheap deal. Like other reported Arsenal target Viktor Gyokeres, Diomande will not be allowed to leave for less than his release clause in the January window.

Is a January deal to bring Diomande to Arsenal likely?

Given the potential finances involved in the deal, it seems unlikely that the Ivorian defender will be heading to the Emirates in the next month.

This does not rule out a potentially cheaper summer transfer, but given Arsenal’s need for a defender, they may need to look for a cheaper temporary alternative.

Arsenal spent heavily in the summer, to the extent that the deal to sign goalkeeper David Raya was completed as an initial loan deal to help comply with financial fair play rules.

If Diomande arrives, he will initially be a backup to William Saliba, who has formed one of the best partnerships in the league with Gabriel Magalhaes, and whilst this could be a necessary addition, the finances may not allow such a big fee to be spent on a player who will not start immediately.

Diomande has made just 36 appearances for Sporting CP, and paying what would be one of the biggest fees in the club’s history for him would be a huge gamble in the winter window.

Arsenal do need depth at the back for now though, and could look into the loan market to add additional cover for the second half of the season, before then pursuing a summer deal for Diomande.

Arteta seems to be heavily keen on the young defender, and he will be one to watch for the next two transfer windows.