According to Metro, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is urging the board to push for a summer move for Issa Diop.
The West Ham United centre-back signed for the Hammers in 2018 after an impressive few seasons with Toulouse. In his 18 months with the club so far, he has shown his quality at only 23 years of age.
Manchester United are also competing for his signature, but the Gunners are willing to go all out for Diop.
Issa Diop Targeted by Arsenal Amid Manchester United Interest
Arsenal and Their Defence
As aforementioned, the Red Devils have been keeping tabs on Diop for a while now. Only last year, the defender was quoted to have a reported £60-million price tag.
Arsenal, however, seems to be willing to go above and beyond to sign the Frenchman.
Mikel Arteta has improved Arsenal’s defence immensely since the turn of the year. His side has kept seven clean sheets in 15 games. Even so, he wants to bolster his defensive options.
Unai Emery, the manager prior to Arteta, signed players such as David Luiz and Kieran Tierney. The former was somewhat of a laughing-stock at Arsenal before Arteta’s arrival. Now, he’s a rock at the back for the Gunners. Tierney has also impressed when not injured.
Arteta brought in two defenders in January: Pablo Mari and Cedric Soares, both on loan. Mari has done well, keeping clean sheets in consecutive games against Portsmouth and West Ham. Cedric is still recovering from injury and has not played a game yet.
Issa Diop’s Impact If He Were to Sign
With the latter two players only being on loan, they are set to leave at the end of June. Issa Diop could fill that void if Arsenal is to let them go.
Diop is primarily a right-sided centre-back and is a good contributor to team play.
He averages one tackle and 1.7 interceptions per match, according to WhoScored.com, and has started 22 out of his 23 Premier League games this season for West Ham. He started all 33 games that he played in the league last season.
He’s definitely an important player for the Hammers and they will not want to let him go cheaply. Arsenal may have to end up paying nearly £75-80-million if they wish to capture his services.
Knowing his talent and his potential, however, it may all be worth it in Mikel Arteta’s summer rebuild plans.
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