ARSENAL are considering a summer move for West Ham defender Issa Diop as they aim to improve their defensive issues, according to reports.
The Mirror claim Mikel Arteta has identified Diop as a potential solution to their struggling back line.
Arsenal are lining up a bid for West Ham star Issa DiopCredit: Getty Images
A deal could be a lot easier if West Ham fail to stay in the Premier League but should they survive, the Gunners will have to be prepared to pay a lot more the 23-year-old.
Diop joined the Hammers from Toulouse for £22.5million in 2018 and has impressed despite being in a struggling side.
Manchester United and Chelsea are also admirers of the French centre-back as both clubs aim to bolster their squads in the summer.
Arteta is hoping to use Diop alongside Frenchman William Saliba, who will return from his loan spell at Saint-Etienne in the summer.
Saliba was signed last year but remained on-loan at the French side to gain further first-team experience.
The Gunners will have to fork out £36m if they want to sign Dani Ceballos permanently in the summer.
The 23-year-old has made 14 Premier League appearances for the Gunners since he joined on a season-long loan from Real Madrid in July.
Arteta was quizzed about a possible deal for Ceballos.
The Gunners boss said: “We haven’t had any discussions about it.
“I’m really happy with Dani and what he’s bringing to the team right now.
“It took him a while after his injury to get to the level that he has and that I’ve seen in the past.
“He’s performing much better now and that’s why he’s playing much more games.”
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
