{"id":469868,"date":"2019-06-29T11:08:29","date_gmt":"2019-06-29T15:08:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lwosonfootball.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/?p=469868"},"modified":"2019-06-29T11:08:29","modified_gmt":"2019-06-29T15:08:29","slug":"arsenal-keita-balde","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/2019\/06\/29\/arsenal-keita-balde\/","title":{"rendered":"REPORT: Arsenal Join Race For Keita Balde"},"content":{"rendered":"

Arsenal<\/a> have identified Monaco’s Keita Balde<\/a> as a potential summer signing as the Gunners search for a new winger. The London side have been monitoring the Frenchman this summer, according to Sky Sports<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Keita Balde Sought After By Arsenal<\/h1>\n

Arsenal Chase Monaco Star Keita Balde<\/h2>\n

Unai Emery’s side are keen to sign a new winger this summer in order to bolster their squad.<\/p>\n

It was reported on Friday<\/a> that the Gunners are likely to make an offer for Wilfried Zaha<\/a>. The 26-year-old is keen to leave Crystal Palace<\/a> but would prefer to remain in the English capital with a new outfit.<\/p>\n

Zaha scored ten goals for Palace in an impressive 2018\/19 Premier League campaign.<\/p>\n

However, Emery has identified Balde as another potential outlet for interest. The 24-year-old is subject to interest from a number of teams, but a move to the Premier League is high on his priorities.<\/p>\n

Balde, who is valued at between \u00a325 million and \u00a328 million, has been watched by Arsenal at this summer’s Africa Cup of Nations.<\/p>\n

The talented winger proved his worth while under scrutiny, finding the net in Senegal’s 2-0 win over Tanzania.<\/p>\n

Last season Balde was dispatched to Inter Milan. The 24-year-old was sent away from Monaco due to first-team chances being limited; however, Balde impressed while out-on-loan as he netted five goals in 24 Serie A appearances.<\/p>\n

This season Arsenal are working with a reduced transfer budget. The London side narrowly missed out on a return to Champions League football in Emery’s debut season.<\/p>\n

Balde may prove to be a cheaper alternative to Zaha, with the Palace winger valued at \u00a380 millio<\/a>n<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The forward joined Monaco from Lazio in 2017 prior to spending last term on-loan at Inter.<\/p>\n

Across a three-club career, Balde has scored 44 goals and assisted 47 in 200 combined games. As a result, Balde is\u00a0regarded as a talismanic frontman in both Italy and France.<\/p>\n

Main Photo<\/p>\n

Embed from Getty Images<\/a>