Arsenal 'contact family' of £35m defender as Mikel Arteta steps up transfer plan

Arsenal have made contact with the family of Sporting Lisbon star Ousmane Diomande, according to a new report.

The Gunners are currently fourth in the Premier League table after Sunday's 2-1 defeat to Fulham, a result which stretches their winless streak to three games.

Arsenal's lack of potency in front of goal was a major issue at Craven Cottage, while both goals conceded came from defensive errors.

Speaking after the match, manager Mikel Arteta hinted to talkSPORT that he was happy with his current squad - although will surely having one eye on potential reinforcements if the club's finances allow it.

Amid reports of concerns over FFP limits, Arsenal completed a loan deal for Brentford goalkeeper David Raya, with an option to buy, in the summer rather than purchasing him outright.

But should there be room made available to spend as a result of player sales, Arsenal are reportedly tracking Diomande ahead of a potential move.

That's according to Football Insider, who report that the Gunners have gone as far as contacting the 20-year-old's family in an attempt to convince the defender to move to north London.

The same report claims that any money is likely to be completed in the summer transfer window, although with competition for the defender said to be fierce, the Gunners may be spying an opportunity to seal the deal earlier.

Diomande, a right-footed centre-back, has made 16 Liga Portugal appearances this season as part of a back three alongside former Liverpool defender Sebastien Coates and fellow reported Arsenal target Goncalo Inacio.

The 20-year-old, who is an Ivory Coast international, was the subject of high praise by his international boss Jean-Louis Gasset: "He's one of the 25 best under-19 central defenders in the world and he does everything well.

"He plays in Portugal, he's going to play in top leagues, he's going to play in the Champions League or the Europa League."

Given Arsenal's system, one attribute that certainly have caught Arsenal's eye is Diomande's ball-playing abilities.

He has a pass completion rate of 91.2 per cent this season, as per WhoScored - the fourth-highest of any player in Liga Portugal and the second-highest of any defender, only behind Benfica's Antonio Silva.

The defender is valued at £35 million by Transfermarkt - meaning there is a path to Arsenal potentially bringing him to north London this month.