Arsenal are increasingly worried about losing William Saliba to Real Madrid and are considering Ousmane Diomande as his potential replacement.
Fabrizio Romano reported on Tuesday that Real Madrid will definitely sign a top centre-back this summer, at the request of new manager Xabi Alonso. There is a broad consensus that Saliba is Real Madrid’s ideal target to strengthen the defensive centre.
It is expected that Real Madrid will test Arsenal’s willingness to keep hold of the French star this summer.
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Who will replace Saliba?
Marca reports that Madrid president Florentino Pérez has given the go-ahead to go for the Arsenal defender at the end of the season, while RMC Sport reports that Madrid are willing to make Saliba the most expensive defender in history.
Saliba is said to be open to a move to Madrid, and his contract situation also makes the situation difficult for Arsenal.
Saliba’s contract with Arsenal expires in 2027, which means that the club will soon have to extend the deal.
As a result, Arsenal are already planning for the possibility of losing Saliba.
Diomande on the
radar According to Record, Arsenal have set their sights on Sporting’s Ousmane Diomande as Saliba’s potential replacement.
Arsenal’s head of recruiting James Ellis was sent to observe Diomande during Sporting CP’s 1-1 draw with Benfica at the Estadio da Luz at the weekend.
Diomande has long been on Arsenal’s radar, and at 21, the Ivorian international fits perfectly into the club’s age profile.
He has played 99 games for Sporting, won the league last year and also became African champion with Ivory Coast.
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