Arsenal: Arteta makes contact for two stunning €80m signings
Arsenal have reportedly made moves to sign stars from Sporting CP and AC Milan, although one transfer makes far more sense than the other.
Arsenal have dealt with Sporting before, having signed Viktor Gyokeres from the Portuguese giants last summer. The striker arrived in a £64 million deal after scoring an incredible 54 goals in his final season at the Jose Alvalade Stadium.
Gyokeres has been criticized this season as he has found the Premier League much more difficult. However, the Swede still scored 13 goals in 35 appearances in his debut campaign at the Emirates, which is a decent return.
According to a Portuguese newspaper SaveArsenal could come back to haunt Sporting again this summer, this time for Ivorian defender Ousmane Diomandé.
The Gunners have made contact with Diomandé’s camp as they look to prepare for a potential summer transfer.
The centre-back recently signed a new four-year contract with Sporting, but this was aimed at maintaining his value rather than keeping him at the club for the majority of its glory years.
Diomande’s terms include an €80m (£70m) release clause.
The report adds that Newcastle United and Crystal Palace are also aiming to sign the 22-year-old. Palace identified him as a potential replacement for Marc Guehi last summer and are ready to try again later this year.
According to a recent report from Football transfersArsenal and Manchester United have converged on Milan winger Rafael Leao.
United have “strong interest” in Leao, but it is Arsenal who are “in the lead” as they have already had “face-to-face discussions” with his agents.
Leao will cost a similar price to Diomande, as Milan value him at €75-80 million (£65.5-70 million).
Arsenal have long been linked with the Portuguese striker, and a move for him would be much better than a move for Diomandé.
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Diomandé to Arsenal would be questionable
Gunners fans will be wondering if the club even needs Diomande, given William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes already make up their first-choice centre-half duo.
Cristhian Mosquera and Riccardo Calafiori can also play in central defense, while Arsenal are also expected to permanently sign Piero Hincapie this summer.
Instead, Arsenal should prioritize capturing a new left winger such as Leao. They have long needed a lethal striker to replace Gabriel Martinelli, who can sometimes frustrate fans in front of goal.
Leandro Trossard is an excellent replacement, although a younger alternative needs to be found as he is 31 and has entered the final 18 months of his contract.
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