Arsenal have drawn their eyes towards AS Monaco winger, Keita Balde Diao, as a possible replacement for Alexis Sanchez on the left wing. They already have pegged Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang as their priority signing but if the deal goes bust in the next few days, maybe Arsene Wenger will have to go all in for the 22-year-old Ligue 1 starlet.
Diao is a product of the La Masia academy of Barcelona and was earmarked to feature for the senior team of the Catalan giants. But his stint with the La Liga giants ended after he got caught on behavioural issues for indulging in a practical joke with his academy teammates. As punishment, he was sent out on loan to UE Cornella who somehow managed to break out a deal, which would see them earn a part of his playing rights.
Keita broke the youth ranks after scoring a staggering 47 goals for Cornella and earned himself a move to Stadio Olimpico. After spending 6 seasons with Lazio, the Arbucies-born winger established himself as one of the hottest prospects in European football.
He went on to appear in 110 games for the Serie A outfit slotting in 31 goals and furthering 27 assists. Diao is as versatile as a chameleon changing its colour. Primarily a winger, he can appear in almost any position in the final third. An ultimate showman with the ball in his feet, Diao made the switch to play with the Ligue 1 defending champions on a five-year-deal.
The departure of Alexis Sanchez has left a massive gap in the Arsenal club ranks both in terms of creativity and goal-scoring prowess. The arrival of Henrikh Mkhitaryan on the swap deal will help in the creative aspect, but Wenger still needs a Wideman with a keen eye for goal.
While Aubameyang has the pace to breeze past defenders, he is primarily a centre-forward and has been the most effective in that position for Borussia Dortmund.
The Gunners already have Alexandre Lacazette as the established number nine with Olivier Giroud as the second option. Maybe Aubameyang might not be the perfect fit to the attacking jigsaw. Diao is still just 22 and has the ambition of developing himself into a marquee player. He will give the side the all-important width from the flanks and feed the strike force whenever required.
However, he still in his debut season with Monaco and might not be allowed to leave on such short notice. Though Arsene Wenger has always been an admirer and nurturer of young talents like the 22-year-old Spaniard, it might not be the wisest of decisions to bring an absolutely untested player into the side, which is somewhat struggling in the Premier League and that too right in the middle of the season.
