Arsenal, Chelsea and Newcastle United are reportedly interested in the signing of Sporting Lisbon defender Ousmane Diomande.
The Ivory Coast international has become a mainstay in Sporting's side since moving from Danish club Midtjylland in January 2023, appearing 38 times for the Portuguese giants.
Diomande has developed a consistent partnership with Goncalo Inacio at centre-back this season, with the former featuring in 15 Primeira Liga clashes.
Ruben Amorim's men are going well in the Portuguese top flight, sitting at the head of the division after losing just two of their 15 league matches to date.
Despite Diomande's importance to a title-chasing Sporting side, a move away from Lisbon cannot be ruled out, according to Football Insider, who state that Arsenal, Newcastle and Chelsea are keen on the defender.
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It was reported earlier in the week that Mikel Arteta's Gunners had made contact with the player's family over a potential move in January or the summer transfer window.
Newcastle are said to have touched base with Diomande's representatives ahead of the New Year, with the North-East club looking to bolster their chances of earning European football for a successive campaign.
Although the Gunners and the Magpies are in discussions with the centre-back's corner over a transfer, it is understood that both are planning a switch for the Ivorian at the conclusion of the season.
This mostly comes down to the two sides' situations surrounding Financial Fair Play, with Sporting demanding that Diomande's £70m release clause is met.
The same cannot be said for Chelsea, who are looking to lure the 20-year-old to Stamford Bridge this month as Mauricio Pochettino's men aim to climb back into European contention in the Premier League.
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The Blues are making the signing of a new centre-back a priority in 2024, considering that 39-year-old Thiago Silva has less than six months left on his contract.
Pochettino's side are also being linked to Diomande's Sporting teammate Viktor Gyokeres, who has bagged 11 goals in the Primeira Liga since his summer switch from Coventry City.
Although unnamed, the report claims that the three-aforementioned clubs will face competition from other sides in England and around Europe for the signature of Diomande.
Despite speculation swirling around the future of the young defender, he is expected to line up for Sporting as they take on Estoril in the Portuguese top flight on Friday night.
Carter White
