Arsenal ready to move for African wonderkid next year

Arsenal are ready to make a fresh attempt to sign Sporting Lisbon defender Ousmane Diomande next year, according to Record.

The north London giants have been keen admirers of the 19-year-old and they were initially keen on signing him last winter.

At the time, he was plying his trade for FC Midtjylland. Sporting eventually won the race to sign him for around €8 million.

It is now revealed that the Gunners tried to pursue Diomande from Sporting last summer but their €35m bid was turned down.

The Gunners have promised to return for him at the turn of the year, but they may have to wait until the summer to land his services.

Sporting are aware of the interest from Mikel Arteta's side, but they have no plans to negotiate on the asking price in January.

The Portuguese outfit inserted a €80m in his contract at the time of signing and won't accept anything less in the next window.