Arsenal have been told that Brest midfielder Ibrahima Diallo would be keen on a move to the Emirates while Everton have made an enquiry of their own about the £20 million-rated ‘new N’Golo Kante’, according to the Daily Star.
The prospect of a man compared to a two-time Premier League-winning enforcer should have the hairs standing on end in north London.
After all, Gunners fans will not need us to tell them that they have been crying out for a midfielder in the shape of Kante since the Gilberto Silva, Patrick Vieira heyday. Granit Xhaka, Lucas Torreira and Matteo Guendouzi all have as many weaknesses as strengths, with the current options available to Mikel Arteta lacking the consistency of Chelsea’s World Cup winning Frenchman.
Fortunately, a man who has been labelled across the channel as Kante’s heir apparent is open to the idea of joining his stylistic doppelganger in London.
The Star claims that Arsenal have asked a few questions about the £20 million former France U20 star, and they have been informed that Diallo would likely jump at the chance to join compatriots Alexandre Lacazette and Guendouzi at the Emirates.
Everton are interested too, perhaps hoping that Diallo could finally fill an Idrissa Gana Gueye shaped void at the heart of Carlo Ancelotti’s engine room. Leicester City, meanwhile, saw a £16 million bid rejected in January.
Interestingly, Diallo averages two successful tackles per game this season. Only one player in Arsenal’s squad, the versatile Ainsley Maitland-Niles, completes more every 90 minutes.
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