Arsenal and Chelsea are keen on signing the Sporting CP defender Ousmane Diomande at the end of the season.
A report from Portuguese publication Record (h/t Sun) claims that the two clubs have now submitted offers for the 20-year-old central defender but they are still some way short of the asking price.
The two London clubs have offered £51 million for the talented young defender but Sporting CP are holding out for a fee of around £69 million. Diomande has a long-term contract with the Portuguese club and they are under no pressure to cash in on him. Arsenal and Chelsea will have to pay the reported asking price if they want to sign the talented defender.
Diomande would be a future investment for Arsenal, Chelsea
Arsenal need more depth at the back and Diomande could be the ideal long-term partner for Williams Saliba. The Sporting CP talent is widely regarded as one of the brightest young defensive prospects in Europe right now. He could develop into a top class defender for Arsenal with the right guidance.
The 20-year-old has the potential to justify the investment as well.
Meanwhile, Chelsea will need to sign central defender to replace Thiago Silva. The Brazilian will be a free agent in the summer and he will have to be replaced adequately.
The Blues have looked vulnerable at the back of this season and they would do well to sign one of the most talented young defenders in European football right now.
The reported £69 million asking price will be a bit of a problem for his suitors and it remains to be seen whether Sporting CP are prepared to lower the asking price for Diomande.