Arsenal have stepped up their summer transfer planning with a senior scout attending the Lisbon derby at Estádio da Luz to monitor Ousmane Diomande, Francisco Trincão and Viktor Gyökeres, according to Record.
They write that the scout was dispatched under the direct instruction of James Ellis, Arsenal’s head of scouting. They add that Ellis rarely authorises live scouting trips unless a deal has moved beyond initial stages, with footage and data typically relied upon until late in the process.
This visit, then, seems to signal an advanced level of interest in all three Sporting CP players, pending final approval from Mikel Arteta and sporting director Andrea Berta.
Top of the list remains Viktor Gyökeres, who continues to dominate the scoring charts in Portugal with 38 goals in 33 league appearances. The Swedish forward also leads the race for the European Golden Shoe, currently sitting on 57 points.
Arsenal have been following him closely since pre-season, notably beginning video analysis after the Troféu Cinco Violinos.
Gyökeres has a €100 million release clause but Sporting are believed to be open to offers beneath that figure, particularly from Premier League clubs. A formal approach is now expected after the Portuguese Cup final. There was a report that Arsenal have already submitted a bid, but it seems like that might be slightly premature.
Ousmane Diomande, meanwhile, has been a target since breaking into Sporting’s first team at 19 and earning his debut for the Ivorian national side. With Sebastián Coates returning to Uruguay, Diomande has emerged as the defensive leader at the back for Sporting, reaching his 100th appearance for the club in the derby.
His contract runs until 2027 and includes an €80 million release clause, with Juventus, Newcastle and Chelsea also interested. Diomande has spoken openly of his ambition to play in the Premier League, which puts Arsenal in a strong position if they decide to finally formalise their interest.
Francisco Trincão, who had a previous spell in England with Wolverhampton Wanderers, has quietly rebuilt his form and reputation. Now 25, the winger has improved significantly since his loan from Barcelona, accepting reduced wages to stay at Sporting.
Reports suggest offers from England now include personal terms of €3 million net per season, double his current salary. Sporting are keen to retain him and have started working on a contract extension that would include the No. 10 shirt. Whether that is enough to hold off renewed Premier League interest remains to be seen but Arsenal were said to have made an informal approach two weeks ago.
What unites all three players is Arsenal’s long-standing interest and the methodical pace of their recruitment process. With a striker, a centre-back and an attacking wide option on the list, the club’s presence at one of Portugal’s biggest fixtures strongly suggests preparations are well underway for a busy summer.