Arsenal will return for Sporting Lisbon defender Ousmane Diomande after seeing a bid rejected for the defender this summer, according to reports in Portugal.
Sporting beat a number of clubs, including Manchester City, to the 19-year-old centre-back's signature in January, who joined the Portuguese side for a reported €7.5million fee from FC Midtjylland.
However, Diomande is already being linked with a move away for over ten times that price. That's according to Portuguese newspaper Record, who have reminded clubs that of his €80m release clause.
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The report adds that Arsenal had a €35m bid rejected by Sporting over the summer amid concerns surrounding an injury to Jurrien Timber.
But despite the setback, Mikel Arteta is allegedly preparing to launch a new offer for the Ivorian next summer after he impressed during last season's Europa League last 16 win over the Gunners.
Arsenal invested in their defensive line this summer by signing Timber from Ajax for around £34m.
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However, the Dutchman sustained a serious knee injury during Arsenal’s Premier League opening game against Nottingham Forest, with the defender expected to be sidelined for quite some time.
Taking to Instagram to share the bad news with fans, Timber wrote: "Gutted to share my injury is more serious than expected, especially after the warm welcome I've received.
"I wanted to repay you on the pitch, which will not be possible for the forthcoming period. I'm blessed with a lot of great people around me, together we will do anything to get back as soon and strong as possible.
"For now I’ll be supporting our team from the stands of course. Thanks for making me feel at home in such a short period of time, see you at The Carpet."
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In the meantime, the north London sanctioned the £2m sale of Rob Holding to Crystal Palace and allowed Nuno Tavares and Kieran Tierney to join Nottingham Forest and Real Sociedad respectively on loan.
Topics: Arsenal, Football, Mikel Arteta, Transfers, Sporting Lisbon, Sporting CP
Joe Adams