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Arsenal 'send scouts to watch Viktor Gyokeres, Ousmane Diomande'

By Ben Sully | 03 March 2024

Arsenal 'send scouts to watch Gyokeres, Diomande'

Arsenal reportedly sent scouts to watch Sporting Lisbon duo Viktor Gyokeres and Ousmane Diomande in Thursday's Taca de Portugal clash with Benfica.

Arsenal have reportedly sent scouts to watch the Sporting Lisbon duo of Viktor Gyokeres and Ousmane Diomande.

The Gunners were keen to sign a new striker in the January transfer window, but the market ultimately passed by without any new additions due to concerns over their Financial Fair Play situation.

However, Arsenal are expected to make signing a new number nine one of their main priorities for the summer transfer window.

Arsenal's current first-choice forward Gabriel Jesus continues to be hampered by injuries, while his fellow striker Eddie Nketiah has been unable to nail down a regular spot in Mikel Arteta's starting lineup.

With the Gunners in the market for reinforcements, a recent report suggested that Gyokeres features on a four-man striker shortlist.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta pictured on February 22, 2024 © Reuters

According to The Mirror, Arsenal scouts were in attendance to watch Gyokeres and his teammate Diomande in Thursday's Taca de Portugal clash with Benfica.

The Arsenal officials saw Gyokeres score the second goal in a 2-1 victory to give Sporting a narrow advantage after their first leg of the semi final.

Gyokeres continued his red-hot form with another strike in Sunday's 3-2 home win over Farense in the Primeira Liga.

As a result, the Sweden international has now scored a total of 32 goals in 35 competitive appearances since arriving from Coventry City last summer.

The 25-year-old is believed to have a £86m release clause in his Sporting contract which runs until the summer of 2028.

Sporting Lisbon's Ousmane Diomande celebrates scoring their third goal on September 17, 2023 © Reuters

Arsenal were also believed to be watching centre-back Diomande, who played the duration of Thursday's cup win over Benfica.

Diomande has featured in 25 matches across all competitions this season, and he was also part of the Ivory Coast squad that won the Africa Cup of Nations last month.

The 20-year-old, who joined Sporting from Midtjylland in 2023, has over three years left to run on his current deal with the Portuguese giants.

Like Arsenal, Chelsea were said to be monitoring both Gyokeres and Diomande at the Estadio Jose Alvalade on Thursday.

Paris Saint-Germain and AC Milan also had scouts in attendance, while officials from Manchester United were understood to be keeping a close eye on Benfica duo Joao Neves and Antonio Silva.