Arsenal go quiet in €100m+ winger race – but that might be good

Manchester City and Arsenal have gone quiet in the race to sign Yan Diomande, but that could end up being a good thing for the Gunners.

Fabrizio Romano reports that Manchester City and Arsenal have both gone quiet in their pursuit of Yan Diomande, after each making calls over the potential signing in recent days.

Romano adds that Diomande has currently only opened the door to moves from Paris Saint-Germain, and more recently Real Madrid, with the La Liga side now in club-to-club talks with RB Leipzig.

But that could end up being good news for Arsenal, with the Gunners keen on signing Vinicius Junior from Madrid.

James Olley and Rodra reported for ESPN on Saturday that Real Madrid’s interest in Diomande should be seen as related to a potential Vinicius Junior exit, and that’s not exactly surprising.

Real Madrid signing Diomande would require a bid of over €100m, to add a talented winger to their squad. The best way to make that work financially and in terms of squad composition would be to sell a winger for big money.

Arsenal signing Vinicius Junior could hypothetically help Real Madrid to balance the books and provide a clear pathway to minutes for Diomande.

RMC Sport report that Diomande is considered the ideal successor should Vinicius leave, and perhaps Real Madrid are now planning for that eventuality.

On the other hand, it seems increasingly clear that Arsenal won’t be signing Diomande themselves, and it’s likely they won’t be the only club in the race if Real Madrid decide they’re willing to sell Vinicius.

That decision hasn’t yet been made, and the Brazil international could still decide to renew his contract and stay.

So whilst Real Madrid’s pursuit of Diomande could possibly end up being good news in the end, for now he’s just another player Arsenal can cross off their shortlist.

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