As concerns over William Saliba's future continue, Arsenal are now reportedly eyeing a summer move to sign a potential replacement for the Frenchman in a deal worth a hefty £68m.
Arsenal's Saliba concern
After another season without a Premier League title and potentially without a major trophy altogether, Arsenal could face consequences for failure that they'll be all too familiar with. Real Madrid, meanwhile, could land one of Europe's best centre-backs.
The Spanish giants have reportedly set their sights on signing Saliba this summer, with likely new manager Xabi Alonso a fan of the central defender.
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The Madrid call is rarely one that players turn down and that should send alarm bells ringing around The Emirates. It's a call that even Liverpool academy graduate Trent Alexander-Arnold is on course to accept and one that Kylian Mbappe accepted last summer. Now, Saliba could be next.
There's no overstating the damage that the defender's departure would do to Mikel Arteta's side who have already struggled defensively when without Gabriel recently. Losing Saliba would be a whole new struggle for their backline as they look to make it a fourth-time lucky in the hunt for Premier League glory next season.
Known for their attacking prowess from set pieces, Arsenal's struggles to defend such scenarios at the opposite end have gone under the radar this season. After Bournemouth came from behind to seal victory over the Gunners using two set pieces, however, it's clear that with or without Saliba, Arteta's side must improve on that front.
So, although losing Saliba would be a major blow, his exit would at least allow new sporting director Andrea Berta to welcome a fresh defender capable of turning that set-piece record around.
Arsenal set sights on £68m Diomande
According to Defensa Central in Spain, Arsenal have now set their sights on signing Ousmane Diomande from Sporting Club this summer as Berta plans for the worst-case Saliba scenario, should he leave for the Bernabeu. Alas, any deal won't come cheap in the coming months. The Portuguese side have reportedly slapped a price tag worth as much as €80m (£68m) on their centre-back.
Sporting CP's Ousmane Diomande in action with Lille's Jonathan David
Whether the 21-year-old "monster" is at the necessary level to replace Saliba is the big question. When compared, it's clear that the Sporting man would need plenty of patience if he did step in and replace a player who some may believe is irreplaceable at Arsenal.
League stats 24/25 (via FBref) Ousmane Diomande William Saliba
Starts 27 33
Progressive Passes 79 134
Tackles Won 20 36
Aerial Duels Won 78 58
However, what does stand out as a positive to take note of is Diomande's aerial success compared to Saliba's. Winning 20 more aerial duels in six less games, the Sporting man may have stood a far better chance of preventing Bournemouth's two set piece goals in a frustrating Arsenal defeat last time out.
Also dubbed a player with "great" pace by U23 scout Antonio Mango, Diomande looks set to be one to watch if Saliba does swap Arsenal for Real Madrid in the coming months.