Premier League leaders Arsenal have reportedly suffered a blow in their pursuit of 23-year-old French international Moussa Diaby.
According to SPORT1 reporter Patrick Berger on Twitter, Premier League giants Arsenal have been handed a blow in their pursuit of signing Moussa Diaby in the ongoing January transfer window.
The Gunners are the early trendsetters in the English top flight and appear to be set to clinch a long-awaited Premier League title. While they do have the initiative, there is much to play for. And bringing in the right players this month should make the job easier for Arsenal.
Bringing in a winger appears to be on the agenda at the Emirates this month as they were very keen to sign Mykhaylo Mudryk from Shakhtar Donetsk. However, they were thwarted by Chelsea, who beat them to the winger in the eleventh hour.
Their attention now appears to have shifted to Moussa Diaby, who continues to make a name for himself at Leverkusen. The 23-year-old came through the ranks at Paris Saint-Germain before establishing himself at Bayer Leverkusen. In 146 appearances for the Bundesliga outfit, Diaby has amassed 43 goals and 41 assists.
Arsenal again very interested in Moussa Diaby after Mudryk-deal collapsed! Understand there were initial talks between Gunners and Leverkusen. But the Bundesliga side don’t want to sell the French winger in January. Summer transfer more likely. Price tag €75m+huge bonuses. ⚫️🔴 https://t.co/4lbeC9xrHh
— Patrick Berger (@berger_pj) January 18, 2023
Capable of playing anywhere in the frontline, Diaby would fit right into Arsenal’s fluid system. With Bukayo Saka occupying the right flank, adding another goal-scoring threat on the left should give Arteta more options. It will also help the Gunners boss rest and use Gabriel Martinelli better.
Despite being in talks with Arsenal, Bayer Leverkusen are against selling their star man this January. A summer deal appears to be more likely, but the German giants are seeking €75 million excluding bonuses. The Gunners will have to go big to land their man.
Arteta and Bayer Leverkusen boss Xabi Alonso have known each other since their early days at the tough academy at Antiguoko. Whether this personal relationship could be something the Arsenal boss can make use of to sweeten the deal remains to be seen.
Whether or not Diaby arrives in north London is debatable. But Arsenal are ready to bring in Brighton star Leandro Trossard. It could be the impetus Arsenal need to negotiate the final leg of clashes leading to the Premier League title successfully.
