Yan Diomande is believed to be the subject of strong interest from Chelsea and Arsenalplaceholder image
Yan Diomande is believed to be the subject of strong interest from Chelsea and Arsenal | Getty Images
Arsenal have been linked with a move for one of Europe’s hottest prospects with fierce competition from Premier League rivals.
Arsenal were the dark horses in the summer transfer window with several of their signings being questioned at the time.
Those questions have been answered in emphatic fashion with Noni Madueke forcing his way into the England squad, Eberechi Eze looking like a player born for the Champions League and Martin Zubamendi adding balance to a midfield that didn’t look like it could get any stronger. Despite the lengthy injury list and walking wounded, Mikel Arteta has the Gunners sitting in a good position both domestically and in Europe. With one or two more quality additions, silverware could become a very real possibility.
Arsenal linked with RB Leipzig flyer Yan Diomande
It is this that would make Diomande perfect for Arsenal. He already has a similar profile to the current wingers in terms of being able to contribute numbers, his dribbling ability and his pace, but with his left foot just as strong as his right, he could cover on either flank without any loss of performance or Arteta having to change tactics. A full-back's worst nightmare is a winger who can cut inside or drive to the by-line and this, added to the teen’s lightning pace make him one of the continent’s in-demand forwards. Such is his potential, it will be a surprise if Leipzig manage to hold onto him until the summer.
Who is Yan Diomande?
Diomande’s rise to prominence has been an unusual one, choosing to travel to the USA to gain an understanding of the game before Spanish outfit Leganes brought him to Europe. Things could have worked out differently for Diomande had his agent not priced him out of a move to Rangers, who wanted to sign him after impressing in an academy bounce game against Monaco. Despite the attention, he is in no rush to leave Leipzig: “I have time and I’m young,” Diomande told transfermarkt.de. “But, I’m also impatient because I want to be among the best. I also need to work on my dribbling, my passing, and my defense, as well as improve my teamwork.“
“I went to the USA to study and play football,” Diomande noted in the transfermarkt interview. “I tried out for a few [MLS] teams like the Colorado Rapids and Charlotte FC, but it didn’t work out. I eventually realised that [the USA] wasn’t quite right for me. Football doesn’t have the same status there as basketball or American football.I was far away from my family and it was difficult to live alone,” Diomande said.
“I had to learn to control my emotions. Now I’m more relaxed and can cope better with being far away from home. That helps me here at RB Leipzig.“
Worrying how a player will adapt to a new country is always an element, however, Diomande is only 19 and already played in three different countries, impressing everywhere he has been. With Liverpool and Chelsea keeping tabs too, he could soon be playing in his fourth before he blows the candles out on his 20th birthday.
Continue Reading