Arsenal 'set to revive interest in Ousmane Diomande in January'

Arsenal are reportedly set to revive their interest in Sporting defender Ousmane Diomande in the January transfer window.

According to Record, Arsenal had an offer of £30million rejected by Sporting for Diomande, who has a release clause of around £69million.

It is anticipated that Arsenal will return with an improved offer for the 19-year-old.

Diomande, who recently made his senior Ivory Coast debut against Lesotho, is seen as an excellent prospect for the future.

Arsenal can already call upon the likes of William Saliba, Gabriel and Jakub Kiwior as centre-back options, while Ben White is also capable of playing there.

However, with the versatile Jurrien Timber set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines with an anterior cruciate ligament injury, Arsenal may look to bring in another defender in January.

The Gunners sold centre-back Rob Holding to Crystal Palace late in the transfer window.

Diomande joined Sporting in January this year having previously had a loan spell at Mafra while he was a Midtjylland player.

Since his arrival at Sporting, Diomande has made 21 appearances, scoring once.