Arsenal’s Interest in Sporting Lisbon Defender Ousmane Diomande Grows as William Saliba Transfer Rumors Intensify
Reports suggest that Arsenal are keeping tabs on Sporting Lisbon defender Ousmane Diomande as uncertainty about the future of star centre-back William Saliba grows. The talented French defender has been one of the shining lights in this season’s Gunners side, but there has been a sprinkle of rumors that Real Madrid recently contacted Saliba personally. The Gunners have consistently watched talented young Ivorian defender Diomande, who boasts an end of €67m release clause.
Diomande has been in the radar of several top clubs, Chelsea being one of them, but this Arsenal project with Mikel Arteta at the helm could see the interest of the young defender shift. Indeed, Arsenal have been impressed enough to consider him a valuable asset for their squad, assuming Saliba decides to join Real Madrid.
Although Arsenal is relaxed about Saliba’s future – securing him on a long-term contract – the Gunners have taken their desire to improve the backline by targeting promising talents like Diomande. His talent and the option of playing in various positions means the 20-year-old is a welcome addition into the Gunners’ ranks as they go on building a competitive team that can compete for the biggest trophy cabinet.
Hashim
Do you want to read our whole collection of history articles? Check out our Just Arsenal History section
CALLING ALL ARSENAL FANS! Anyone who would like to contribute an Article or Video opinion piece on JustArsenal, please contact us through this link…
Always good to have a “Plan B” in the back pocket but we don’t know how serious RM’s interest in Saliba is yet.
Of course, he’s a top-quality player but the Spanish have shown they’re prepared, where necessary, to wait for players to become available on the best terms (for them). It happened recently with Mbappe.
If RM really is after Saliba, I suspect that they could even wait until summer 2026 when he’ll have only a year left on his contract before making a move.
As we speak I am not really worried about our players, they all seem to be happy.
However that could change very quickly if we don’t win some decent silverware this season.
I don’t think “almost winning the Prem” for a third season will be enough to keep our top players. If anything, it may be more demoralizing than anything.
It’s a massive compliment when very top club shows interest in our players, it simply means the process and progress to get them to that final phase wasn’t some cooked up term.
Surely the Bernbeu giant would have take note