Arsenal favourites over Chelsea to sign 20yo defender

The Gunners have been long term admirers of the talented centre-back and they have done plenty of ground work on him. The club are now prepared to step up their interest in the 20-year-old, who is expected to leave Sporting at the end of the season. Sporting are willing to accept a fee close to the €80m release clause and O Jogo claim that the Gunners are the prime candidates. The north London giants have moved ahead of the Blues in the pursuit and they have already held talks with all parties involved. Sporting are also aware of the interest from the Gunners in Diomande and they have already started the search for a successor for the 20-year-old. Arsenal are said to be determined to bolster their central defence despite William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes being undisputed starters for them.