Advertisement

Arsenal keen on signing Roma midfielder Amadou Diawara

Amadou Diawara slide-tackles Fiorentina's Rachid Ghezzal - AP
Amadou Diawara slide-tackles Fiorentina's Rachid Ghezzal - AP

Arsenal have expressed an interest in Roma’s Amadou Diawara as the club looks to bolster midfield resources before the new season.

Diawara, 23, is one of the options being considered by Arsenal, who have been desperate to strengthen their midfield ever since Mikel Arteta was appointed in December.

Telegraph Sport understands talks are at a very early stage, with Diawara just one of a number of potential targets on Arsenal’s list.

There has been no formal approach yet and Roma are understood to be keen on keeping hold of the Guinea midfielder this summer.

The Italian club is in a strong position as Diawara still has four years left on his contract following his move to Rome from Napoli for around £19 million last summer. The defensive midfielder made 30 appearances for Roma last season, scoring one goal.

Diawara represents an alternative option to top midfield target Thomas Partey, who has a release clause of £45m which Atletico Madrid want paid in full.

Reports in Italy have suggested that Lucas Torreira, who fell out of favour under Arteta after suffering a fractured ankle in March, could be offered as part of a swap deal for Diawara.

As reported by Telegraph Sport last week, Torreira is open to returning to Italy this summer with AC Milan among the teams who are interested in signing the midfielder. According to Italian reports, Fiorentina are also interested in the 24 year-old.

Last week, Torreira told Uruguayan radio station Sport 890: “I need to think about my future very well. I have a contract with the club and I need to respect it. Obviously if I have to leave it will be for the best. We have to be calm and wait.”

There is huge uncertainty around Arsenal’s midfield going into the new season. Matteo Guendouzi is heading for the exit door and the future of Dani Ceballos also remains unresolved.

Arsenal are hopeful of reaching another loan agreement with Real Madrid but the Spanish side could yet decide to keep Ceballos in their first team for the coming season.