The Ivorian was on the Gunners' radar at the beginning of the year but he chose to join Sporting Lisbon from FC Midtjylland.

He has since been in superb form for the Portuguese giants and the Gunners are prepared to return for him at the end of the season.

O Jogo claim that the club have already made contact with the player through his agent and he is expected to move on next summer.

Diomande considers Sporting as only a stepping stone and he is prepared to pursue a bigger challenge at the end of the campaign.

Sporting purchased him for just €8m last winter. They inserted a €80m release clause in his contract and won't accept anything less.

Arsenal could be willing to make a huge outlay to purchase Diomande, who is also on the radar of Manchester City and Liverpool .

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