At A Glance:
- Arsenal have been long linked with RB Leipzig’s Yan Diomande.
- The 19-year-old is admired by Liverpool too.
- A report has explained why the Gunners have leapfrogged Arne Slot’s side in the race for his signature.
Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal have long been linked with RB Leipzig ace Yan Diomande as an antidote to their attacking problems and the Gunners are reportedly now frontrunners in the race for his signature.
This season, the Premier League table-toppers have been defensively sound – and it has been their substandard forward line which has been criticised.
Bukayo Saka has struggled to hit the form expected while Viktor Gyokeres’ infant months in England have flattered to deceive.
Read More: Ally McCoist tells £130m Arsenal transfer target to reject Mikel Arteta and sign for Chelsea
Diomande could really talk Arsenal’s attacking prowess to another level thanks to his pace and directness with the ball at his feet – and Caught Offside have recently named them as the team in pole position.
Liverpool slip in race for RB Leipzig hotshot Yan Diomande as Arsenal handed potential boost
Given how well Yan Diomande has performed in Germany since his move from CD Leganes, it’s no surprise to see some of the Premier League big guns circling around his situation.
He’s currently tied down in Leipzig until the summer of 2030 – and prising him away will cost a pretty penny.
The Gunners are not the only team in England’s top flight that are interested in signing the Ivory Coast international, though, as Arne Slot’s Liverpool have also been credited with an interest.
Caught Offside have reported that Arsenal are currently ahead in the tug-of-war for the 19-year-old’s services and that’s because Champions League football is guaranteed should a move materialise.
“Arsenal have reached out to those around Diomande to be kept informed over his future,” a source told Caught Offside. “That doesn’t mean a bid or an offer is imminent or definitely going to happen, but it’s a position they’re looking to strengthen and he’s appreciated by their recruitment team.”
“Diomande is Liverpool’s preferred Salah replacement, but the reality is that they’ll struggle to get him without Champions League football, and there is a huge amount of interest from all over Europe, with Arsenal very much in the race,” another source added.
At the time of writing, he’s yet to decide which club (if any!) that he will join but the Gunners can offer action at Europe’s top table.
Come the summer, there is a chance that Liverpool cannot offer the same and that is believed to be a crucial aspect of discussions surrounding where he’ll play his football next season.
Alternatively, there is also the option of him remaining at his current employers – especially given they are on the cusp of securing Champions League football – and moving to a bigger club in due course.
Could Arsenal go all out for serial winner Vinicius Jr instead?
With Yan Diomande, the Gunners would be getting a player who is far from the finished article – and it could be argued that they cannot afford to not buy ready-made players. Step forward Vinicius Jr.
Recently, the Real Madrid and Brazil star emerged as a potential summer target for Arteta and his entourage.
That’s because he’s recently been linked with a potential Los Blancos exit and the likes of Arsenal, Manchester United, Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea have been all been made aware of his situation.
He would, of course, cost a pretty penny but you could bet your bottom dollar that he would transform Arsenal’s somewhat-tired frontline, injecting his with pace and unpredictability.
The finances needed to strike a deal for one of the best players in the world are probably not worth thinking about – but Arsenal could shock the footballing echo chamber by brining in Vinicius, couldn’t they?
