Arsenal are very interested in Sporting CP defender Ousmane Diomande, according to reports from Portugal.

Portuguese outlet Record reports that Sporting CP defender Ousmane Diomande continues to be highly covered by Premier League clubs, including Arsenal and Newcastle United, despite his current club’s attempts to renew his contract.

Having only signed for Sporting in January, Diomande already has a deal lasting until 2027, with a reported €80m release clause.

But the club are already trying to extend that deal, according to Record.

Diomande turned 20 earlier this week, so he’s still very much at the beginning of his senior career. Yet he’s already made his senior international debut for the Ivory Coast, and he’s made over 50 club appearances in first-team football.

Those 50 apperances include two against Arsenal, when he helped Sporting to secure a penalty shoot-out victory over the Gunners in last season’s Europa League.

Sporting were knocked out by Juventus in the next round, but they put up a good fight, only losing by a 2-1 aggregate scoreline over the two games.

The Gunners have been linked with the youngster all year, and it was reportedly largely due to Brexit complications that they didn’t sign him before he even joined Sporting.

Given his age and his impressive performances, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Arsenal making a move for Diomande in 2024.