Arsenal are reportedly willing to offer €60m for Sporting CP defender Ousmane Diomande this summer, but claims of contact between the parties have been played down.

Earlier this week, Portuguese outlet Record (via Sport Witness) reported that Mikel Arteta wants Arsenal to sign a new centre-back, and the Gunners have chosen to focus their attentions on Ousmane Diomande.

According to the report, Arsenal have informed the player’s agent and Sporting CP’s directors that they will start negotiations for his transfer.

Diomande has an €80m (£69m) release clause, but Arsenal are apparently offering €60m (£52m) for the transfer, plus bonuses.

The Gunners are most notably competing with Chelsea for the signing, but Bayern Munich and Newcastle United are also showing an interest.

Fabrizio Romano is unconvinced by the report, suggesting it’s likely driven by the fact Arsenal have indeed sent scouts to watch Sporting recently. But Romano believes Arsenal are primarily following Sporting striker Viktor Gyokeres, not Diomande.

On the specific claims about contact between Arsenal and the player’s agent and club, Romano writes that he’s not aware of any such talks or negotiations.

With a number of clubs in the mix, the Italian journalist concludes we’re far from any concrete solution in Diomande’s case.

Diomande has made 29 appearances for Sporting CP this season, a total that would be higher if not for the player’s time away with the Ivory Coast at the Africa Cup of Nations in January and February.

The Ivory Coast ended up winning the tournament, though Diomande only played in the opening two games.

At club level, Sporting still have a lot to play for this season, 2-1 up in their two-legged domestic cup semi-final against Benfica and top of the Liga Portugal.