Arsenal eyeing move for “very talented” young centre back as Marc Guehi alternative

Ousmane Diomande. (REUTERS/Rodrigo Antunes)

Arsenal are extending their lead at the top of the Premier League, moving seven points clear over the weekend despite a goalless draw with Nottingham Forest.

With second-placed Manchester City losing to Manchester United and third-placed Aston Villa falling to Everton, the Gunners’ draw was enough to stretch their advantage.

While the cushion allows a bit of breathing room, Mikel Arteta is taking no chances—he is actively looking to strengthen his squad during the January transfer window.

Reports suggest Arsenal have turned their attention to Ousmane Diomande as a potential alternative to Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi.

The Gunners, alongside Liverpool and Bayern Munich, had targeted Guehi in the summer on a free transfer, but Manchester City secured his services this month for around £20m plus add-ons, leaving Arteta searching for other defensive reinforcements.

CaughtOffside claims Sporting Lisbon centre-back Diomande is on Arsenal’s radar.

The Ivory Coast international, described as “very talented” by former Sporting coach Ruben Amroim, most recently played at the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.

Arsenal are also reportedly monitoring Eintracht Frankfurt’s left-back Nathaniel Brown, highlighting their intent to bolster both centre-back and full-back positions as they push for league and European success.

Barnaby Lane is a highly experienced sports writer who has written for The Times, FourFourTwo Magazine, Sports Illustrated, TalkSPORT, and Business Insider.

Over the years, he's had the pleasure of interviewing some of the biggest names in world sport, including Usain Bolt, Rafael Nadal, Christian Pulisic, and more.