Transfer Talk: Gunners hoping to unearth rough Diomande

Arsenal plan to revive their interest in Sporting's teenage centre-back Ousmane Diomande in 2024.

The 19-year-old Ivorian only joined the Portuguese outfit last January from FC Midtjylland but has already amassed plenty of suitors.

Gunners boss Mikel Arteta was particularly impressed by the youngster's performance at the Emirates in March, when Sporting dumped his side out of the Europa League on penalties.

Record claim the North Londoners lodged a £30million bid for Diomande this summer which was swiftly rejected by his current employers.

However, Arsenal will not lie down easily and are already drafting up plans for a fresh bid next summer.

Diomande made his senior debut for the Ivory Coast last Saturday and reportedly has a release clause in his contract placed at just under £70m. 

Arteta will be cursing not striking a deal first time around, though — particularly with the recent ACL injury sustained by £34m arrival Jurrien Timber.

The ex-Ajax defender, 22, went down on his league debut against Nottingham Forest and is set to be ruled out for the rest of the season.

In other news

Sport suggest Real Madrid have set £200m aside to use on wages and signing-on fees for Kylian Mbappe, who they intend to sign on a pre-contract in January from Paris Saint-Germain.

BBC Sport journalist Simon Stone says reports linking Manchester United with a move for former Aston Villa and Everton forward Anwar El Ghazi are false.

Liverpool are considering a move for Athletic Bilbao forward Nico Williams, according to Fichajes.