Midfielder Arteta ‘obsesses’ over tells loan club he ‘wants to stay’ in transfer blow to Arsenal
Brahim Diaz has reportedly told AC Milan he would like to stay at the club after his loan comes to an end despite interest from Arsenal.
Diaz will already be well thought of at the Emirates after he scored the only goal across both legs as Milan knocked Tottenham out of the Champions League this season.
He once again showcased his ability on Sunday as his side picked up a shock 4-0 win at Serie A leaders Napoli.
This stunning result will give the Rossoneri lots of confidence going into their Champions League quarter-final against Luciano Spalletti’s side.
Diaz signed for Real Madrid from Manchester City for €17million in January 2019 and has made 21 appearances for the European champions.
He joined Milan on a season-long loan for 2020-21 and his impressive campaign meant the Italian giants again agreed to sign him on a temporary basis last summer.
Milan reportedly have the option to buy the Spanish playmaker, in a deal that will include a buy-back option for Madrid.
It is believed the Rossoneri have a €22m option to buy him in the summer and some reports suggest they want to lower the agreed fee.
Arsenal could be ready to take advantage of any uncertainty.
A recent report from Nacional claimed that Gunners boss Mikel Arteta is ‘obsessed’ with Diaz and believes ‘he can have a very leading role at Arsenal’.
Furthermore, Todo Fichajes reported last month that the Premier League leaders ‘have an eye on him’.
Milan ‘will not execute’ the chance to sign Diaz for €22m and he will return to the Bernabeu, the report states.
Arsenal are ‘willing to make a good offer’ to land the Spaniard as Arteta sees him ‘as a very profitable future projection’.
However, it would seem that the 23-year-old – who has five goals and three assists in Serie A this term – has his heart set on staying at the San Siro.
Corriere della Sera reckon Diaz wants to stay in Milan and has told Paolo Maldini and Frederic Massara to make it happen.
The club’s finances mean this could be very difficult and it is believed they have other priorities in the summer transfer window.
Arsenal have also been linked with Milan’s Ismael Bennacer.
Interestingly, it has been reported that the Gunners are willing to offer Folarin Balogun in a swap deal to sign the Algerian midfielder – who played for Arsenal between 2015 and 2017.
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