Real Madrid 'identify key Arsenal target Moussa Diaby as summer priority' as Ancelotti dilemma identified

Real Madrid are plotting a major summer move for key Arsenal target Moussa Diaby, according to reports from Spain.

Diaby has been identified as a primary option for the Gunners this summer, with the Daily Mail's Sami Mokbel claiming that the Frenchman is of 'serious interest' to Arsenal.

A move for the 23-year-old Bayer Leverkusen star is believed to form part of a costly summer recruitment plan for the north London as they look to remain competitive at the top of the Premier League table.

And with Champions League football returning to the Emirates Stadium next season, Diaby could prove to be the difference for Arsenal in that competition.

Arteta will potentially have watched on as Real Madrid took on Manchester City in the first leg of this season's opening Champions League semi-final.

If he had, he will have seen star winger Vinicius Junior smash in a 20-yard strike with an incredible power to give Real the lead in the first half.

But while Vinicius and Karim Benzema form a potent attacking duo - and Rodrygo is also emerging as an important player - Los Blancos have relatively few quality options in that area when it comes to depth.

And a new report claims they will look to Diaby to solve that problem.

Real keen on Diaby

According to Spanish journalist Jose Felix Diaz (via Madrid Universal), Real believe that Diaby is the perfect addition to their attacking line for next season.

He claims that is due to Diaby's versatility - he can play on both flanks - and Real's lack of a natural winger, as well as his ability to score goals. It is claimed such a move would be a 'smart' investment.

The Frenchman enjoyed a career-best season in terms of goals in the last campaign, netting 13 goals and providing 12 assists in the Bundesliga.

He is down on those numbers this term, but has still recorded an impressive nine goals and eight assists in 30 league games, as well as three goals in six Europa League matches.

His signing would, however, present Real boss Carlo Ancelotti - if he is still in post next season, with the Brazil national team hopeful of appointing him - a major dilemma.

With the Italian preferring to play a three-attacker formation at the Bernabeu, it would likely be between Rodrygo and Diaby as to who gets in Real's strongest XI.

But having an extra quality attacker would help Ancelotti rotate the team throughout the season - giving him plenty of options for when those famous Champions League nights come along.

Topics: Real Madrid, Arsenal, Champions League, Transfers, Carlo Ancelotti, Mikel Arteta

Ryan Smart

Live in constant hope of the top flight as a Preston North End fan. Written in the past for SPORF, GiveMeSport and more.