Arsenal made a last-ditch attempt to secure the services of Real Madrid forward Brahim Diaz. As reported by various outlets, the Gunners saw their ambitious bid rebuffed by the Spanish giants, who are currently unwilling to part ways with the versatile Moroccan star.
Diaz recently captured attention for an unfortunate moment, missing a crucial Panenka penalty in the Africa Cup of Nations final. Despite his side Morocco falling short against Senegal, the 26-year-old left the tournament with the top-scorer accolade, albeit through tearful eyes.
The narrative began earlier in January when Fichajes reported Arsenal’s initial £44 million offer for Diaz. As the transfer deadline loomed, Africafoot revealed a renewed push from the Emirates, which culminated in a dramatic last-minute approach. However, Real Madrid firmly denied any possibility of a mid-season deal, deeming Diaz an integral part of their attacking strategy.
The stalemate does not entirely rule out a potential summer move, as Madrid’s managerial future might influence subsequent transfer decisions. Nonetheless, Arsenal’s hopes for an immediate acquisition were dashed. Manager Mikel Arteta had been exploring options due to Mikel Merino’s unfortunate injury, with rumours briefly linking Sandro Tonali and Leon Goretzka to the north London club. Despite these speculations, no midfielder arrivals materialised, leaving Arteta to rely on his existing squad depth to navigate a packed fixture list.
Arsenal spent significantly on Ebere Eze last summer, but his underwhelming performances may have prompted the search for additional creative options. Diaz’s adaptability across attacking positions was particularly appealing to Arteta, yet the search for reinforcements will have to continue into the next transfer window.
Looking ahead, Arsenal face Sunderland this weekend, with an opportunity to extend their Premier League lead over Manchester City. Arteta confirmed the return of Jurrien Timber, but the squad will be missing Martin Odegaard, Bukayo Saka, and Max Downman for the match. As the Gunners push on in multiple competitions, the focus remains on maintaining momentum amid squad challenges and transfer frustrations.