Arsenal could pull off player-plus-cash deal involving Granit Xhaka to sign 23-year-old star: Reports

Arsenal are reportedly keen to sign Bayer Leverkusen attacker Moussa Diaby in a player-plus-cash switch involving Granit Xhaka in the upcoming summer transfer window.

Diaby, 23, has established himself as a regular starter at Leverkusen since arriving from Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) for a fee in the region of £13 million in 2019. He has been in stellar form this season, registering 14 goals and 11 assists in 43 appearances.

Xhaka, on the other hand, is currently relishing his best-ever season in a Gunners shirt. The 30-year-old has thrived in a left-sided central midfielder role under Mikel Arteta, registering seven goals and as many assists in 44 games.

According to the Mirror, Leverkusen are keen to add Xhaka to their ranks ahead of the upcoming 2023-24 campaign. However, Arsenal could benefit from a potential deal if they can manage to lure Diaby away from the BayArena.

Diaby, whose current deal is set to expire in June 2025, could prove to be a decent signing for Arsenal should he join them in the near future. Apart from deputizing for Saka on the right flank, he can also operate as left-sided winger.

According to Transfermarkt, Diaby is valued at around £44 million. The PSG youth product's stock could rise depending on the Xabi Alonso-coached side's progress in the Bundesliga and in the UEFA Europa League this campaign.

Overall, Diaby has scored 49 goals and provided 48 assists in 167 matches across all competitions for Leverkusen.

Mason Mount backed to secure a summer transfer to Arsenal

Speaking to GiveMeSport, reputed journalist Paul Brown claimed that Chelsea star Mason Mount could strike up a partnership with Martin Odegaard should he secure a summer move to Arsenal. He said:

"It'd be a really interesting signing for them. Would he dovetail nicely with Odegaard, or would the two of them get in the way a little bit? Are they too similar? Would he play deeper in midfield and have to change his role slightly?"

Suggesting that Mount would be keen to feature under Mikel Arteta, Brown added:

"We don't know where Mount sees himself playing in the future, but I think that the chance to work with Arteta in that Arsenal team would appeal to anyone, especially to a young English player who's approaching his prime."

Mount, 24, has been a hot topic of speculation for quite a while as he is currently in a contract standoff with Chelsea. Apart from the Emirates Stadium outfit, Liverpool and Manchester United are also keen to sign the player, as per GOAL.

Since making his debut in 2019, Mount has scored 33 goals and laid out 37 assists in 195 games for Chelsea.