Report: Arsenal making very serious efforts to sign £84m forward who's 'the next Mane'

By Giuseppe Labellarte

Arsenal have reportedly set their sights on bringing Moussa Diaby to the Emirates Stadium.

This is according to German outlet BILD, via Sport Witness.

Arsenal have enjoyed a bright season under Mikel Arteta and are closing in on a Premier League top-four finish.

Nonetheless, the Gunners could do with bolstering their attacking ranks next season.

Aside from needing new strikers, Arsenal will also need strength in depth to challenge for silverware.

Diaby usually plays on the left wing, though he can also feature on the right and even as a second striker.

The Bayer Leverkusen ace has been in fine form this season, registering 16 goals and 13 assists in 40 outings.

Last season, Diaby managed ten goals and 15 assists in 43 appearances.

According to BILD, those figures have ramped up the 22-year-old’s asking price.

Leverkusen have reportedly put a €100m (£84m) price tag on Diaby amid interest from English clubs.

Diaby’s contract runs until 2025 and doesn’t have a release clause, hence his club’s significant valuation.

This doesn’t seem to have put off the France international’s suitors, however.

The likes of Arsenal are reportedly making ‘very serious efforts’ to get their man.

If the Gunners reach the Champions League, they will make their move, added the report.

The player himself is yet to indicate what his choice would be.

However, should he ‘force the transfer’, then Leverkusen will would be ‘willing to talk’ for €75m (£63m) instead.

A top player, but Arsenal have other priorities – TBR View

Diaby is a player of the highest calibre, who some fans have compared to Liverpool’s Sadio Mane.

One Gunners supporter on Twitter even deemed him “the next Mane”.

However, Diaby’s price tag is very high, and Arsenal have other areas they must prioritise.

At present, the Gunners have several good options on both flanks.

Arsenal will need to bring in at least one, if not two, top-class centre-forwards in the summer.

If the Gunners are to spend £60m plus on one player, it needs to be on a striker (or two).

Obviously if Arsenal can land one or two top centre-forwards and still have money spare, then they should pursue Diaby.