Arsenal are leading the race to sign Ousmane Diomande from Sporting CP, with the Portuguese club expected to sell in the summer.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - AUGUST 5: Ousmane Diomande of Sporting CP in action during the pre-season friendly match between Everton and Sporting Lisbon at Goodison Park on August 5, 2023 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Jess Hornby/Getty Images)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND: Ousmane Diomande of Sporting CP in action during the pre-season friendly match between Everton and Sporting Lisbon at Goodison Park on August 5, 2023. (Photo by Jess Hornby/Getty Images)

Portuguese outlet O Jogo report that Arsenal are the primary candidates to sign Ousmane Diomande this summer, with the defender now expected to leave Sporting CP.

Sporting have reportedly been aware of Arsenal’s interest for a long time, and the defender is now a priority target for the Gunners.

Arsenal face rival interest from Chelsea and Bayern Munich, and all three clubs have been scouting the player for club and country recently. But the Gunners intend to get ahead of the competition and complete the signing.

Sporting's Ivorian defender Ousmane Diomande celebrates scoring his team's second goal during the Portuguese league football match between Sporting CP and SL Benfica at the Jose Alvalade stadium in Lisbon on May 21, 2023. (Photo by CARLOS COSTA / AFP) (Photo by CARLOS COSTA/AFP via Getty Images)
Sporting’s Ivorian defender Ousmane Diomande celebrates scoring his team’s second goal during the Portuguese league football match between Sporting CP and SL Benfica at the Jose Alvalade stadium in Lisbon on May 21, 2023. (Photo by CARLOS COSTA/AFP via Getty Images)

Diomande has a contract until 2027 and a release clause of €80m (£68.4m), so Sporting are in a good position to negotiate.

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The Portuguese club want close to the release clause to sell, which Arsenal were made aware of in talks between the parties since January.

Fellow Portuguese outlet Record previously claimed that Arsenal were focusing their attentions on Diomande and willing to offer €60m (£51.3m) for the transfer, plus bonuses.

FARO, PORTUGAL - JULY 19: Ousmane Diomande of Sporting CP before the start of the Pre-Season Friendly match between Sporting CP and KRC Genk at Estadio Algarve on July 19, 2023 in Faro, Portugal. (Photo by Gualter Fatia/Getty Images)
FARO, PORTUGAL: Ousmane Diomande of Sporting CP before the start of the Pre-Season Friendly match between Sporting CP and KRC Genk at Estadio Algarve on July 19, 2023. (Photo by Gualter Fatia/Getty Images)

Diomande has made 34 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.

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