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Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is reportedly keen on securing a deal for Sporting Lisbon defender Ousmane Diomande next year.
The teenager was a top target for the Gunners boss last winter but Sporting won the race to land his services from FC Midtjylland.
He has since developed into one of the most consistent centre-backs in Portugal and has been touted to leave Sporting soon.
Arteta is driving the Gunners’ pursuit of the 19-year-old wonderkid, but he may have to stay patient due to Sporting’s demands.
The Portuguese outfit have no plans of losing Diomande midway through the campaign unless the Gunners trigger his €80 million release clause.
With Financial Fair Play concerns, the Gunners are unlikely to pay such a price for the defender and may instead wait until the summer window.
Arsenal could still invest at the start of the year. They could look into bargain buys or a potential loan deal with a future buy clause.