Arsenal are in talks with the agent of Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Moussa Diaby ahead of the summer transfer window. The Gunners are still interested in the French winger as they look to improve their attacking options for next season.
Diaby is valued at €60 million (£53 million) by CIES Football Observatory, and with his contract set to expire in 2025, Leverkusen could demand a large fee for his services. The 23-year-old was linked with a move to Newcastle last summer but chose to stay in Germany, with the Gunners now reportedly eyeing a summer move for Diaby.
Julian Brandt of Borussia Dortmund has also been linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium, but Diaby’s attributes and play style fit in perfectly with Mikel Arteta’s attacking ideas and style of play. The Leverkusen star has 11 goals and six assists in 32 appearances this season and could be a good addition if the Gunners can meet Diaby’s valuation.
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Christian Falk revealed in his latest CaughtOffside column that the Frenchman could leave Leverkusen this summer, with Arsenal still interested in the winger. “I’ve been in Leverkusen today (Friday) to meet Rudi Voller and Florian Wirtz, who is a target for many clubs in Europe but has decided to stay in Leverkusen at least until 2024 for the European Championship,” the German journalist wrote.
“The lift in Leverkusen’s Club Center was already occupied by Simon Rolfes, the club’s sporting director. He told me that he was aware of the numerous rumors about Premier League interest in six of his players, several of whom I discussed in my previous column.
“He joked that as a result, he now has a lot of work to do. Moussa Diaby was one of the players in this column. Arsenal is still interested in Diaby. The agents of the Bayer Leverkusen star have made contact with the club.
“It’s worth noting, however, that Arsenal are also interested in Dortmund’s Julian Brandt. The club has not made a final decision on this matter.”
Diaby’s pace and threat on the counter attack reminds me of Arsenal’s Gabriel Martinelli, who recently regained form after being dropped from the starting lineup due to a run of games without scoring. Martinelli has scored four goals in his last four Premier League games, thanks to Arteta’s decision to bring him back into the team.
This season, the 21-year-old has scored 11 goals and provided three assists, producing a similar output to Diaby. The Leverkusen forward is a versatile forward who can play on either wing or as a center-forward, which fits Arteta’s vision of a fluid and quick attack.
