Arsenal regularly scouting Champions League defender

Arsenal will hope to pull themselves back into the Premier League title race when they face London rivals Chelsea on Sunday. 

The Gunners had started the season strongly but have picked up just a single point from their last three league matches.

That run of results has left Mikel Arteta’s side fifth in the table, seven points behind leaders Liverpool.

Off the pitch, though, it has emerged that the North London side have been scouting a Champions League defender.

As per TBR Football, Arsenal have been regularly scouting Sporting CP defender Ousmane Diomande.

The report claims that the Gunners have watched the centre-back on a number of occasions, with a view to potentially signing the player.

Diomande, 20, has played 68 times for Sporting since joining the club in January last year.

Diomande has attracted interest from a number of Premier League clubs including Arsenal and Liverpool

The report claims that Chelsea have also scouted the defender, while fellow Premier League sides Newcastle United and Liverpool are also admirers of the player.

Tottenham Hotspur are also said to be keen on the defender, with their interest said to pre-date their move for Radu Dragusin.

Diomande is contracted to Sporting until the end of the 2026/27 season, but the report suggests that he could be the subject of interest from clubs in the Premier League next year.

The Ivory Coast international currently plays under Ruben Amorim, who is set to take charge of Manchester United during the upcoming international break.

Sporting are said to value the player at £42 million, which could represent good value.

It is claimed that Spurs view the player as a potential replacement for Cristian Romero, who has been heavily linked with a move to Real Madrid in recent months.