Arsenal target Moussa Diaby would be a “welcome addition” at the Emirates Stadium, with Mikel Arteta’s side linked to the Bayer Leverkusen and France winger this summer, according to Ben Jacobs of CBS Sports when speaking to GiveMeSport this week.
The 23-year-old has been linked with multiple different moves to the Premier League this summer, with the north London side and Newcastle amongst potential suitors.
GiveMeSport Transfer Update
What’s the latest on Diaby?
According to the Northern Echo, Arsenal will face stiff competition in their pursuit of Diaby, with Newcastle believed to be making one final push for the Leverkusen winger before moving onto other targets.
According to The Telegraph, the Bundesliga club are asking for £60m for the eight-time France international, which would be relatively in line with his Transfermarkt rating, where he is valued at £54m.
Journalist Pete O’Rourke has previously hinted that Arsenal could make a move for the Frenchman, telling GIVEMESPORT: “Diaby is probably on the list of a number of top clubs who are looking at attacking wingers this summer, and I’m sure Arsenal are no different.”
And Jacobs seems to agree with O’Rourke, but believes it’s not entirely certain whether Leverkusen will be willing to sell Diaby this transfer window.
What has Jacobs said about Diaby?
He told GIVEMESPORT: "Someone like Moussa Diaby would be a welcome addition for Arsenal.
“Newcastle are also very keen, but it’s not yet clear if Bayer Leverkusen will sell."
Would Diaby be a good signing for Arsenal?
Diaby, who possesses 'frightening speed', would likely be an excellent signing for Arsenal, and would offer Arteta’s side more depth in attack ahead of the upcoming campaign, in which they will have to balance both Premier League and UEFA Europa League football.
The former Paris Saint-Germain winger made 42 appearances for Leverkusen last season, scoring 17 goals and providing 14 assists according to Transfermarkt, showing that he is an all-rounder in terms of goals and assists, and is capable of enough goal involvements to potentially push Arsenal into the top four next season.
Diaby compares favourably to other attacking midfielders/wingers in terms of goal production, and ranked in the top 9% of players in these positions across Europe’s top five leagues and European competition for non-penalty goals per 90 minutes last season (0.45), according to FBref.
And an average SofaScore rating of 7.07 for his performances in the Bundesliga last season shows that the winger should be very capable of stepping up to Premier League level, and performing for Arsenal when called upon.
If Arsenal could get the signing of Diaby over the line, he would no doubt be a huge worry to Premier League defences coming to the Emirates Stadium, and Arteta may just feel that the signing of the Leverkusen man could be tonic to fire the Gunners into the top four this season.