Arsenal have made initial enquiries about Bayer Leverkusen winger Moussa Diaby, but have been warned that he will cost in excess of the 100m euros that they were quoted for Mykhaylo Mudryk as the Gunners scramble for additions this January.
Mikel Arteta has not hidden his desire for January additions to his squad even as they sit 8 points clear atop the Premier League, reiterating his stance after the north London derby win over Tottenham.
“We will try to improve the team. There are always a few parties involved. The club are willing and they have my support and I have their support”, he explained.
The north London side were expected to land Mudryk, with sources close to the deal reportedly very confident that he would be an Arsenal player by the end of the month. However, as they did in the summer Chelsea hijacked their rivals’ move for the winger, agreeing a 100m euro deal for the Ukrainian, who was unveiled to the Stamford Bridge faithful on Sunday.
It has forced Arsenal to look elsewhere, with Barcelona duo Ferran Torres and Raphinha amongst the names mentioned as possible transfer targets.
So far, however, it appears as though their attention has been drawn to Bayern Leverkusen winger Diaby, who was also subject to interest from Newcastle United over the summer.
The 23-year-old, who can play on either wing, has so far managed 6 goals and 3 assists in 15 Bundesliga outings, while he also managed to grab two goals in the Champions League group stages earlier in the campaign.
And, as per Sky Sports, Arsenal have made ‘initial contact’ with the German outfit, who currently sit in midtable in the Bundesliga.
However, it could prove a tricky deal. The Bundesliga side are keen not to sell mid-season, and are also demanding a premium for the former PSG man’s services, with Sky adding that they ‘were quoting €100m to interested clubs in the summer’.
This would make a potential deal worth more than the money Arsenal were willing to put down for Mudryk, seemingly their first choice in the wide areas, and seems likely to prove a major stumbling block even with the Gunners desperate for additions to their frontline.
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