HERE WE GO: Arsenal owner Stan Kroenke releases £300M for SIX new signing

Commencing now: Arsenal owner Stan Kroenke allocates £300 million for six new signings, as Mikel Arteta prepares to secure replacements for Bukayo Saka and Thomas Partey.

Arsenal is reportedly nearing the acquisition of Sporting CP defender Ousmane Diomande, according to Caught Offside.

Since transferring to the Lions from Danish club FC Midtjylland in January 2023, the Ivory Coast international has exhibited commendable performances recently. He led his squad to victory in the Liga Portugal title last season and secured the AFCON with his national team the previous year.

The Gunners have maintained a sustained interest in the African, having been consistently associated with a transfer for him over the past few years. However, they have not yet formulated a definitive strategy to acquire him.

After Ruben Amorim’s appointment as Manchester United’s new head coach, Diomande was strongly associated with a transfer to Old Trafford to reconnect with his previous management.

Nonetheless, Caught Offside asserts that Manchester United is not actively seeking to employ him and will not extend any formal offer.

Diomande to Arsenal
The report states that although Arsenal did not previously pursue him, they remain intrigued and are the frontrunners to get him. The defender possesses a £68 million release clause in his existing contract; nevertheless, Sporting is amenable to transferring him for a minimum cost of £42 million.

Nevertheless, Chelsea is also competing for his acquisition and is in tight contention with Arsenal. Bayern Munich has expressed interest in the player; nevertheless, his choice is to transfer to the Premier League.

Diomande, at 6 feet 3 inches, is a technically proficient centre-back. He is a skilled player with the potential to evolve into a premier defender in the future.

Arsenal is adequately equipped in their defensive sector and does not require fresh acquisitions until they sell any existing players.

Instead, they would be wiser to allocate the funds on acquiring a new prolific goal-scorer. In light of Gabriel Jesus’ injury, Mikel Arteta is left with Kai Havertz as the sole centre-forward option.

The German has not consistently demonstrated his finest performance recently; hence, Arteta requires reinforcements in this position to assist the club in attaining its ambitious goals.

It will be intriguing to observe whether the North London club ultimately makes a definitive effort to get Diomande in January or the following summer.