Arsenal are one of several teams scouting the promising young defender, who has been likened to standout stars Gabriel and William Saliba.
Injuries to Saliba and Gabriel force Arteta to rely on depth
Mikel Arteta’s side have been plagued by injuries again in recent weeks, with both first-choice centre-backs sidelined, while Julian Timber picked up a knock in midweek and Ben White has just returned from a long spell.
“We’ll have to wait and see” about Saliba ahead of the game against Wolves, Arteta said, confirming the France international will be fit to face Everton next weekend.
Meanwhile, Gabriel, who has been missing since the November international break after sustaining a thigh injury while on international duty with Brazil, was spotted in London this week watching a heated game between the six sides.
“He didn’t look injured as he sprinted down the pitch to take part in the match,” an onlooker said after the Brazilian fumed over a scary tackle in a friendly organized between Botafogo fans.
Arsenal star, who earns £150,000-a-week, ‘looks red’ and ‘flew off the steering wheel’ in new footage
The Gunners star lost his cool after an incident in London this week.
Pierro Hincapie and Cristian Mosquera performed admirably in the absence of first-choice duo, but Mosquera has since been substituted with an ankle injury and Arsenal are now looking for options to supplement Arteta’s options.
Arsenal eyeing signing of Ousmane Diomando
According to Caught Offisde, the Gunners are one of several teams scouting Sporting CP centre-back Ousmane Diomand.
Arsenal, Manchester United, Chelsea and Newcastle are all in attendance this season to monitor the 22-year-old defender, who has been described as a “Gabriel-Saliba hybrid” by Como scout Ben Mattinson.
Sporting do not want to sell Diomande and have given the club an €80 million ($70 million) release clause, but it is seen as less of a problem for the big teams than other suitors such as Crystal Palace.
Scout Jacek Kulig has long been a fan of the defender and said in 2023: “You rarely see players with such high ball-play and pure defensive skills.
“There are some tactical improvements, but I’m sure this kid will play in the best team in the world.”
His admiration for the young player continued as he developed, with Kulig saying earlier this year: “He’s a great central defender to keep an eye on with a big future ahead of him.”
If Diomande is willing to sit behind the starting duo and learn his skills, he could immediately provide depth and potential in a position that is absolutely crucial to Arteta’s demanding style of play.
