Report: Arsenal want Serie A warrior as alternative to Thomas Partey

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Arsenal are set to turn their attentions towards Roma midfielder Amadou Diawara this summer; but only if they are unsuccessful in their attempts to lure Thomas Partey to the Emirates Stadium.

The Atletico Madrid general is viewed as a priority for the Gunners but with Los Rojiblancos refusing to budge on the £50 million valuation, Mikel Arteta could look elsewhere (The Guardian).

According to ASRomaLive.it, Arsenal are considering Diawara as an alternative option. The club will, however, hope to resist offers having only signed him from Napoli last summer.

The 23-year-old is valued at £27 million by the Serie A giants and even that fee could be over the odds in terms of what Arsenal see the player as being worth.

Diawara played 29 games for Roma during his maiden campaign in the capital, excelling as a defensive midfielder under Paulo Fonseca.

Arsenal finished the 2019/20 campaign in eighth and Arteta knows that won’t be good enough for the club’s hierarchy next time around.

A midfield general is something that has been sadly lacking in recent years and it’s no surprise to see that area being viewed as a priority.

Despite his tender years, Diawara boasts a wealth of experience, with 104 appearances in the Italian top-flight already under his belt.

The youngster has 10 appearances for Guinea and although he is fancied by Arsenal, they still view Partey as the preferred signing this summer.

TBR View – Unknown quantity unlikely to delight supporters

Arsenal supporters will be hoping to see the club’s recruitment policy add some tried and tested options this summer.

Partey has been performing for years at Atletico in both La Liga and the Champions League and they’d welcome his arrival.

It’s fair to presume the jury will remain out on Diawara, given that he isn’t quite as renowned as the Atletico man.

Arteta appears to know what he is doing and Arsenal fans will, of course, give him a chance to impress.

The Gunners shouldn’t make it a trend of the summer, however, to sign lots of youngsters over proven players.