Arsenal are no longer pursuing a move for 19-year-old centre-back Ousmane Diomande of FC Midtjylland, according to a report.

IKAST, DENMARK: Araújo Henrique Pereira (R) of SL Benfica pushes Diomande Ousmane (L) of FC Midtjylland to the ground during the UEFA Youth League Round Of Sixteen match between FC Midtjylland and SL Benfica at Ikast Stadion on March 02, 2022. (Photo by Martin Rose/Getty Images)
IKAST, DENMARK: Araújo Henrique Pereira (R) of SL Benfica pushes Diomande Ousmane (L) of FC Midtjylland to the ground during the UEFA Youth League Round Of Sixteen match between FC Midtjylland and SL Benfica at Ikast Stadion on March 02, 2022. (Photo by Martin Rose/Getty Images)

UOL Esporte journalist Bruno Andrade reported earlier this week that Arsenal were one of the clubs interested in a move for FC Midtjylland defender Ousmane Diomande, with Sporting CP also in the race.

Andrade wrote that Midtjylland were looking for a €10m fee, and Sporting were willing to offer €5m. The Gunners considered buying Diomande and loaning him to Sporting at one stage.

But Andrade now reports that possibility no longer exists. Both Arsenal and Sporting are working on different fronts, and Midtjylland are standing firm on their €10m valuation.

Diomande has no release clause, and his contract doesn’t expire until 2026, so there’s no obvious way to get around Midtjylland’s asking price.

The centre-back is currently on loan in the Portuguese second tier, making 16 appearances for CD Mafra this season. For the time being, it looks like that’s where he’s going to stay.

DOHA, QATAR: Jakub Kiwior of Poland reacts during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group C match between Mexico and Poland at Stadium 974 on November 22, 2022. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)
DOHA, QATAR: Jakub Kiwior of Poland reacts during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group C match between Mexico and Poland at Stadium 974 on November 22, 2022. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)

Arsenal’s decision to pull out of the race may well have been impacted by the reportedly successful signing of Jakub Kiwior.

At just 22, the Spezia defender offers the Gunners a short-term rotation option at the back as well as long-term promise. Arsenal can now look elsewhere for further signings.