Arsenal ‘ask for information’ from Real Madrid to poach €25m playmaker from Serie A side

Arsenal have reportedly made their first move in a bid to sign former Manchester City playmaker Brahim Diaz from Real Madrid.

Diaz, who moved to Madrid from City for £15m in 2019, has spent the last three seasons on loan at AC Milan and has 17 goals and 11 assists in 113 appearances for the Serie A side.

The 23-year-old has been particularly impressive this term, with his goal against Tottenham in the last 16 of the Champions League enough to see them through that tie and set up their quarter-final against Napoli.

Milan are desperate to keep hold of Diaz according to Corriere dello Sport, who claim they will make new contacts in the next few days with Madrid to discuss his price.

It’s thought the La Liga giants want ‘at least €25m’ for the playmaker, though ‘there would already be teams interested in buying him’, which could increase that figure.

The report also states though that while Madrid may indeed ‘sell to the highest bidder’, they will consider keeping Diaz if they can offload a couple of players to make room for him.

Arsenal are among the teams keeping tabs on Diaz’s situation, and the report claims Mikel Arteta’s side have ‘asked for information’ on the Spain international.

Despite signing Leandro Trossard in January, Arteta is keen on bolstering his forward options as he prepares Arsenal for life back in the Champions League.

According to German outlet Sport BILD, Arsenal, Newcastle and PSG are ‘among the favourites’ to land Diaby this summer.

The report states that the Geordies ‘wanted’ Diaby in the winter window, but Bayer were not prepared to let their star player leave mid-season.

Newcastle are ‘attacking again’, though it is said that Arsenal ‘keep in constant contact’ with the player’s entourage.

Speaking earlier this year, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano confirmed that Arsenal highly rate Diaby.

“They’re convinced of his potential but, at the same time, Bayer Leverkusen have no intention to sell the player in January unless they receive a really important bid.”