"We know..." - Journalist claims Arsenal are set to return for Bundesliga star after Mudryk setback

Arsenal remain interested in signing Moussa Diaby, with the Gunners expected to go after him again in the summer, according to reports.

Mikel Arteta looked to have Ukranian winger Mykhailo Mudryk wrapped up this January, only to see him join London rivals Chelsea at the last minute.

It was a sucker-punch that left the Gunners boss with no choice but to react, signing Brighton winger Leandro Trossard in a deal worth around £27 million.

But Arteta is also thought to be lining up a bid for French winger Diaby, having been linked with him already last summer.

Who is Moussa Diaby?

Diaby, 23, started his career at PSG before moving to Bayer Leverkusen in 2019. He can play on on both flanks and has 43 goals and 41 assists in 146 appearances in the Bundesliga.

He has been on fire this season, finding the net eight times, and Diaby was referred to as "lightning" by German news outlet Bayer04.

Following an impressive debut in Germany, Freiburg boss Christian Streich praised the France international, stating: "He was incredibly dangerous and difficult to stop and he kept on posing problems."

Arsenal were said to be interested in signing the player this January, but opted for Trossard as a cheaper alternative. And with Diaby's contract not set to run out until 2025, the north London side have had to take a step back.

However, recent reports suggest that they are keen to try again in the summer.

"He's still on the list"

Speaking to CaughtOffside, journalist Christian Falk believes Arsenal could make an attempt to sign him later this year.

Falk stated: “We know that Arsenal already had contact with Moussa Diaby for last summer, so he’s still on the list, just not for the winter.

“We heard Leverkusen don’t want to sell him. Perhaps if Arsenal have a lot of money somewhere, maybe £100m, Leverkusen would then have a discussion but I don’t think Arsenal can spend that, as we’ve seen from the amount they were prepared to pay for Mykhailo Mudryk.

“But they knocked on the door last summer, so I’m sure they’ll knock again next summer.”

The Gunners aren't the only ones keeping tabs on the winger though, with Diaby a 'dream' signing for Newcastle, according to Bild.

Topics: Arsenal, Mikel Arteta, Premier League, Football, Transfers, Bayer Leverkusen, Bundesliga, Paris Saint-Germain

Joe Adams

Joe is a Journalist for SPORTbible with a primary focus on football. He has previously covered a number of other sports including boxing, rugby and F1. Wishes he was born left-footed.

@joeadamsjourno