During Ivory Coast’s 2-0 victory over Guinea-Bissau in the opening match of the tournament, the 20-year-old player, Diomande, played for 77 minutes before being substituted by Nottingham Forest defender Willy Boly.
FootballTransfers has reported that Chelsea considers Diomande a priority signing for the upcoming summer transfer window, recognizing him as one of the most promising young prospects in Portugal.
However, Arsenal is also expressing interest in Diomande, viewing him as a potential addition to their first-choice center-back partnership, consisting of Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba.
Both Chelsea and Arsenal have decided to send scouts to the African Cup of Nations to observe Diomande’s performances for Ivory Coast.
Despite having an €80 million release clause in his current contract with Sporting CP, Diomande’s estimated transfer value (ETV) is only €13.4 million according to FootballTransfers’ in-house algorithm.
This valuation is influenced by the limited experience of Diomande, who has played only 55 senior games throughout his career.
Both Chelsea and Arsenal are pleased with Diomande’s contribution to Ivory Coast’s clean sheet in the African Cup of Nations, regardless of the ongoing competition for his signature.
However, potential challenges await Diomande if he decides to leave Sporting CP.
Chelsea boasts a variety of choices at the center-back position, including Thiago Silva, Levi Colwill, Benoit Badiashile, Axel Disasi, and Wesley Fofana.
The Cobham academy has also produced praised defenders in Bashir Humphreys and Alfie Gilchrist, who specialize in the middle of defense.
For Arsenal, Diomande might find it challenging to secure regular game time, as he would likely be positioned below Saliba and Gabriel in the pecking order.
Both clubs are navigating their respective defensive options, and Diomande’s decision to leave Sporting CP could impact his playing opportunities at either club.
