According AS Roma Live, Arsenal have picked out Roma midfielder Amadou Diawara as an alternative target to Thomas Partey.
The Guardian claim that Arsenal’s second bid for Partey – which included Matteo Guendouzi – has been rejected, with Atletico demanding £45.5million.
Arsenal aren’t in a position to pay that right now, and that means that Mikel Arteta is now having to look to other targets.
It’s claimed that Arsenal now want Diawara as the alternative target, with an initial offer of €25million (£22.5million) being planned.
However, that’s not enough for Roma to sell, as they want at least €30million (£27million) for the midfielder in order to let him go.
Diawara, 23, joined Roma from Napoli last summer, and he played 28 first-team games this season, registering one assist.
The Guinean international is technically impressive, but maybe not as combative as Partey if he is the alternative to the Ghanaian.
Diawara is though younger at 23, and Arteta may feel that he can develop him into the player Partey is now whilst paying a cheaper fee.
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