Arsenal are increasingly fearful of losing William Saliba to Real Madrid and are eyeing up Ousmane Diomande as his successor.
Fabrizio Romano reported on Tuesday that Madrid will certainly sign a top cenre back this summer, on the request of incoming manager Xabi Alonso.
And the Blancos are expected to test Arsenal’s resolve this summer for the France star.
Who will replace Saliba?
Marca reports that Madrid president Florentino Perez has given the go-ahead for the club to go all-in for the Arsenal defender at the end of the season, while RMC Sport say that Madrid are prepared to make Saliba the most expensive defender in football history.
Saliba is understood to be open to a move to Madrid and his contract situation also puts Arsenal in difficulty.
Saliba’s contract at Arsenal expires in 2027, though, meaning that the Gunners need to extend his deal soon.
As a result, Arsenal are already planning for the possibility of losing Saliba.
Record reports that the Gunners are targetting Sporting Lisbon defender Diomande as Saliba’s successor.
Arsenal sent their head of recruitment James Ellis to watch Diomande in Sporting CP’s 1-1 league draw against Benfica at the Estadio da Luz at the weekend.
Diomande has been a long-term target of Arsenal and at 21 the Ivory Coast international fits their age profile.
He has made 99 appearances for Sporting, winning the league last year as well as the Africa Cup of Nations for Ivory Coast.
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