Arsenal are among several European clubs keen on signing RB Leipzig rising star Yan Diomande, according to reports in Spain.
The North London side, along with Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich, are claimed to be pushing for Diomande’s arrival, with a bidding war anticipated to begin during the summer transfer window.
Diomande has captured the attention of European powerhouses during his impressive first half of the season in Germany, scoring seven times and registering four assists in 16 appearances for Leipzig.
The 19-year-old only joined the Bundesliga club from Spanish side Leganes last summer and is under contract until June 2030.
Arsenal Keen on Signing Yan Diomande
Yan Diomande
According to Spanish publication Fichajes, while Leipzig have ruled out any potential Diomande departure during the January transfer window, the bidding war for the winger is expected to begin after the season.
There is an expectation that a deal for the Ivory Coast international could exceed €100m (£87m), which would make him Leipzig’s most expensive sale ever.
Diomande - who plays like Antoine Semenyo according to journalist Seb Stafford-Bloor - could soon follow in the footsteps of former Leipzig talents Benjamin Sesko, Xavi Simons, Josko Gvardiol and Dominik Szoboszlai, who all made their way to the Premier League from the German club in recent years.
Mikel Arteta reportedly sees Diomande as the ‘ideal’ signing to inject youth and dynamism into his squad, after Arsenal have regularly scouted the 19-year-old in Germany this season.
The 'outrageous' winger is currently away at the Africa Cup of Nations with Ivory Coast, whom he helped reach the quarter-finals after scoring in their 3-0 win over Burkina Faso in the previous round.
Arsenal Set for Quiet January?
Mikel Arteta
Six points clear at the top of the Premier League table after 21 games, Arsenal are likely to remain quiet in the January market following a busy summer transfer window that saw eight new players arrive.
The North London side were the third-biggest spenders in the league during the offseason and have no pressing need to splash out on another first-team-calibre signing, even considering their injury concerns at the back.
Arsenal were without Cristhian Mosquera and Riccardo Calafiori for their 0-0 draw with Liverpool on Thursday and saw Piero Hincapie limp off in the second half.
Myles Lewis-Skelly replaced the injured Ecuadorian and is currently Arsenal’s only fit option at left-back.
Arsenal Monitoring Borussia Dortmund Starlet
Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta watching on
Arsenal are also on the lookout for signings for the future and have recently made contact regarding Borussia Dortmund rising star Romeo Ritter.
According to reports, the Gunners have enquired about the 17-year-old central defender and are keeping close tabs on his situation. Ritter is under contract with the German club until the summer of 2028.
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