Having lost their talisman in Alexis Sanchez to Manchester United this month, Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal are now one of the busiest clubs in the January transfer market. The Gunners have already signed Konstantinos Mavropanos and Henrikh Mkhitaryan this month but Wenger is expected to spend more money this transfer window.
This has seen the club linked with a number of star players but one name that is closer to a move to the Emirates is Abdou Diallo.
Transfer Story:
Speaking to the media recently, manager Arsene Wenger claimed that his side are actively looking to spend on a defender this month and has constantly been linked with a move for West Brom star Jonny Evans. However, reports from the Mirror claim that Bundesliga star Abdou Diallo is also on their radar.
“Every opportunity we have to strengthen our squad, we’ll take,” Wenger said during the interview. So will he spend on Diallo?
Who Is Diallo?
Having spent his youth career at seven different clubs in two different countries, Diallo finally made a name for himself at AS Monaco, where he broke into the first team in 2014. He made just 10 appearances at the Stade Louis II before being shipped out to German outfit Mainz, at the start of the current season.
Diallo took no time to establish himself in the Bundesliga, have made 16 appearances already at the Opel Arena. He has represented France in each of their domestic levels till the U21 level and is one of the most highly rated players in the domestic circuit in his country.
A versatile centre-back, who can play as a full-back on either wing and also as a CDM, Diallo is an exciting talent, who has troubled even the best strikers in Bundesliga this season.
Known for his aggressive approach and dominating presence in the box, the 21-year old is a beast of a defender, who loves to stay a step ahead of the game. His man-marking and ability to close down spaces in dangerous areas make him one of the best defenders in France at his age but what makes him an exciting option, is his ability with the ball at his feet.
Capable of finding his teammates with long balls and also with short passes, Diallo is unfazed by the occasion and usually exudes confidence, every time he takes the field, which has surely attracted Arsene Wenger.
Chances At Arsenal:
The Gunners have a decent set of defenders at their disposal. While Laurent Koscielny and Shkodran Mustafi remain the first choice CBs for Wenger, the likes of Per Mertesacker, Rob Holding, Calum Chambers and even Nacho Monreal, can all fill in when needed.
Diallo, at just 21, will be an upgrade on at least three of those names. Mertesacker and Chambers might not be at the club next season. This will mean that Diallo will get his chances pretty soon and if he can impress Wenger, he may even find a regular place in the starting XI at the Emirates in the coming season.
