Arsenal and Chelsea have reportedly been linked with a move for 20-year-old Sporting CP defender Ousmane Diomande.
Ousmane Diomande has been linked with a move away from the Portuguese club, with Arsenal and Chelsea keen on signing him. A report by Record via Sport Witness has claimed that the two London clubs can now sign him for a fee of €60 million instead of paying his release clause, which stands at €80 million.
The 20-year-old is regarded as one of the finest young defenders in European football, and he could prove to be a quality acquisition for the two clubs. Arsenal need to bring in a quality long-term partner for William Saliba, and Diomande certainly fits the profile. The Gunners have the financial muscle to pay the reported asking price as well, and it remains to be seen whether they can beat their London rivals to his signature.
Meanwhile, Chelsea need to bring in a quality central defender as well. Thiago Silva will be out of contract in the summer, and Chelsea will have to replace him adequately. The Brazilian has been one of the best defenders at the club, and the Blues will miss his leadership qualities as well.
Although the Sporting CP defender is not quite at the level of Thiago Silva yet, he has the pedigree to develop into a world-class player with the right guidance. He could prove to be a key player for Chelsea in the coming seasons. Both clubs should be able to afford the reported €60 million asking price for the young defender.
Diomande will be tempted to join Arsenal or Chelsea
Diomande will want to compete at a high level, and the opportunity to join Arsenal or Chelsea could be a tempting proposition for him. He would get to showcase his qualities in English football and compete for trophies as well.
Arsenal are currently pushing for the league title, and they will compete in the UEFA Champions League as well. The 20-year-old defender could be attracted to the idea of playing for the North London outfit.
Meanwhile, Chelsea are going through a rough patch right now, and they are unlikely to secure European qualification. However, they are one of the biggest clubs in the world and can easily bounce back and compete for major trophies in the coming seasons. The reported €60 million price might seem like a premium right now.
But the defender has the potential to justify the investment in the coming seasons. It will be interesting to see which of the two Premier League clubs decide to come forward with an offer for Diomande at the end of the season. Whoever manages to sign him will have a tremendous future prospect on their hands for the foreseeable future.
