Report: Arsenal keen on electric Ligue 1 winger

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Arsenal are interested in signing Keita Balde of AS Monaco.

According to French outlet Le10 Sport, the Gunners have turned their attentions to the Senegal international, who has returned to the Ligue 1 club after spending the 2018/19 season on loan at Inter Milan.

Balde made 30 appearances in all competitions for the Nerazzurri, but apparently hasn’t done enough for the Italian giants to want him permanently.

The winger has been valued at around £30 million by Monaco, which Inter have deemed too expensive.

Arsenal have been linked with a host of wingers since the 2018/19 season ended including Ryan Fraser, Alexis Claude-Maurice, Yannick Carrasco, Bilel Hassaini, Lucas Vazquez and most recently Wilfried Zaha.

The Gunners are seemingly struggling due to their lack of transfer funds, and it could be the same old story with Balde – although Leonardo Jardim is apparently open to cashing in.

TBR’s view

Balde would be a decent signing for Arsenal if they were able to negotiate a deal.

The star wasn’t totally consistent for Inter, but at previous club Lazio he was absolutely electric at times.

With Arsenal’s free-flowing style, Balde could potentially be a real hit at the Emirates Stadium.

One thing is for sure – Unai Emery needs to upgrade on both Alex Iwobi and Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Balde has the potential to be just that.

Any sticking point will surely be about the price tag, but perhaps the club should seek to offer payment in installments or offer a player as a sweetener.