The Portuguese media had talked up Arsenal’s interest in a deal worth upwards of £30million for Sporting defender Ousmane Diomande.
Diomande was linked with both Arsenal and Manchester City in the January window before he completed a £6.5m move to Sporting from Danish side Midtjylland.
After impressing in Portugal and earning his first Ivory Coast cap earlier this month, there has also been talk of a new contract, which would contain a rumoured £71m release clause.
This is bad news for Arsenal, as are recent comments from the defender’s agent on his future:
“[Diomande] is extremely satisfied at Sporting,” he told A Bola. “He is very focused on the club and their objectives for this season, which include winning the league title. And he knows that Sporting is the ideal club for this evolution.
“He will be happy to sit at the table with Sporting but so far there is nothing [to discuss]. Sporting is Diomande’s present and future, he wants to evolve but there is nothing regarding [a contract] renewal.”
Brentford vs Arsenal betting tips: Carabao Cup preview, predictions, team news and odds
