Arsenal won't get a clear run at Sporting CP defender Ousmane Diomande.

The Gunners are expected to swoop for Diomande in January after making an attempt over the summer.

Arsenal had a £30m offer rejected by Sporting, with Diomande's contract carrying an €80m buyout clause.

They are expected to try again in January for the 19 year-old Ivory Coast international.

But Italian transfer expert Fabrizio Romano is reporting: “Arsenal have been linked strongly with Sporting Lisbon defender Ousmane Diomande by the Portuguese press - I'm told he's a player they've been tracking for long time, but it's not only Arsenal.

"There are three or four clubs monitoring Diomande for the future, but it was never a negotiation this summer as he wasn't for sale."