Arsenal still keen on £68m transfer for AFCON breakout star despite huge Ivory Coast decision
Arsenal will reportedly still pursue the signature of Sporting Lisbon star Oasumane Diomande in the summer despite being dropped from the Ivory Coast squad.
The centre-back had played in every single league game for his club prior to his exit to the Africa Cup of Nations with Sporting challenging for the Portuguese title. But after starting the first two matches at AFCON, the 20-year-old has been left out of the squad entirely since.
Hosts Ivory Coast sacked coach Jean-Louis Gasset mid-tournament following a group stage 4-0 defeat to Equatorial Guinea, albeit the nation eventually found out they had qualified for the Last 16 via their third-place finish thanks to their opening win over Guinea-Bissau.
Emerse Fae has taken over for the rest of the tournament and has seen them to two dramatic knockout wins over Senegal and Mali to reach the semi-finals. He has largely kept an unaltered side meaning Diomande has not had a look-in, not even making the bench.
Sporting are said to be concerned by his shunning given they are hoping to sell the player for a large fee this summer amid a reported £68m release clause. However, Record adds that Arsenal still remain interested in Diomande despite the dramatic drop in international game time.
In fact, it could give the Gunners an excuse to come in at a lower price. Mikel Arteta will be looking for a striker this summer but other areas of the squad may also be looked at, including in defence. The report states Arsenal have sent scouts to watch Diomande at AFCON, albeit have not seen him grace the grass for nearly three weeks.
Gabriel Jesus causing Arsenal injury dilemma for Mikel Arteta amid Thomas Partey summer plan
Jurrien Timber, Gabriel Jesus, Zinchenko — Arsenal injury news and return
Read on football.london
