Arsenal are ready to flex their status as Premier League champions this summer and join Liverpool in the race to sign Yan Diomande.
The RB Leipzig winger is one of the most wanted stars in Europe right now and his immediate future remains at the centre of speculation.
Like Liverpool, Arsenal are after a winger this summer. Even after the arrival of Christos Tzolis, the North London club are still seemingly in the market for a wide man. And that’s where a talent like Diomande could come in.
|
Most dribbles completed in the Bundesliga 25/26 |
|
|---|---|
|
Yan Diomande (RB Leipzig) |
115 |
|
Antonio Nusa (RB Leipzig) |
68 |
|
Michael Olise (Bayern Munich) |
63 |
|
Luis Diaz (Bayern Munich) |
58 |
|
Joel Fujita (St. Pauli) |
48 |
|
Ibrahim Maza (Bayer Leverkusen) |
47 |
|
Bazoumana Touré (Hoffenheim) |
47 |
|
Alexis Claude-Maurice (Augsburg) |
44 |
|
Said El Mala (Koln) |
43 |
|
Jean Mattéo Bahoya (Frankfurt) |
39 |
At just 19 years old, Diomande was on a level of his own when it came to successful take-ons in the Bundesliga last season. Not even Michael Olise could come close to the Leipzig star.
It’s the main reason behind Liverpool’s interest. The Reds are shifting the dynamic of their frontline and want a quick, direct winger to join Alexander Isak and Rio Ngumoha, but already received a blow when Leipzig rejected their €100m (£85m) offer for Diomande earlier this summer.
Since then, Paris Saint-Germain’s hesitation has created another potential blow for those at Anfield. Instead of missing out to the French giants, Liverpool could miss out to Arsenal.
Arsenal ready to match Liverpool offer for Yan Diomande
According to BILD, as relayed by Sport Witness, Arsenal are ready to match Liverpool’s offer to sign Diomande this summer.
The Anfield outfit saw €100m bid turned down by Leipzig during the World Cup, and both the Gunners and Manchester City have now indicated to the German club that they would be willing to pay a ‘nine-figure’ sum.
The winger’s agent is pushing PSG to make their decision about a potential transfer, opening the door for Arsenal to deal their rivals an almighty blow and land a player who could end Gabriel Martinelli’s career at the Emirates.
|
25/26 stats |
Diomande |
Martinelli |
|---|---|---|
|
Minutes |
2,476 |
1,073 |
|
Goals |
12 |
1 |
|
Assists |
8 |
4 |
|
Take-ons per 90 |
4.29 |
1.85 |
|
Chances created per 90 |
2.04 |
1.09 |
Dubbed “incredible” by scout Jacek Kulig last season, Diomande would take Arsenal’s frontline to a whole new level.
Ezri Konsa makes Arsenal transfer stance clear
It’s not just Diomande in Arsenal’s crosshairs right now. The Gunners have also got their sights set on Aston Villa’s Ezri Konsa, with reports now claiming that the defender would welcome the chance to move to the North London club this summer.
As things stand, however, Arsenal and Villa remain far apart in their valuations. Until that problem is solved and the two clubs meet in the middle, Konsa is likely to stay put in the Midlands.
Whether the Premier League champions act with more urgency now that William Saliba’s back injury has been confirmed also remains to be seen. The last thing they need is a major fall in quality in the Frenchman’s absence.
