Arsenal have been linked with a surprise move for Bayer Leverkusen star Moussa Diaby as Edu looks to add more signings to Mikel Arteta's squad.
Arteta revealed that the Gunners are looking to complete more signings before the end of the summer transfer window following the 2-0 win over Crystal Palace. New signings Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko had an instant impact for the north Londoners, whilst Fabio Vieira continues his recovery from a foot injury suffered at the start of pre-season.
Arsenal are prioritising moving on a number of fringe players at present, having sold Bernd Leno to Premier League rivals Fulham and Lucas Torreira set to be the next player out of the door at the Emirates Stadium with the Uruguayan midfielder close to completing a move to Galatasaray. The Gunners are thought to be targeting a central midfielder and winger before the deadline, and Moussa Diaby is the latest player to be linked with a move to north London.
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Diaby turned down an approach from Newcastle earlier in the transfer window in favour of staying in the Bundesliga with Leverkusen. Arsenal may have more luck with convincing the 23-year-old of leaving Germany and making the move to north London as Arteta has shown he has a knack of persuading players in being a part of his project with the Gunners, as shown with Gabriel Jesus' arrival from Manchester City.
So, if Diaby was to complete a transfer to Arsenal this summer, what shirt numbers would be available to the France international? football.london takes a look.
Number 15
Diaby could look to take Ainsley Maitland-Niles' no.15 shirt with the English midfielder likely to leave the Emirates Stadium this summer.
Maitland-Niles spent the second half of last season on-loan at Roma and is unlikely to feature in Arteta's plans moving forward with the club targeting a new central midfield signing. Diaby wore the no.15 jersey during his time with Paris Saint-Germain before changing to the no.7 shirt.
Number 19
The 23-year-old could look to take Nicolas Pepe's no.19 jersey should a move to Arsenal come to fruition with the Ivorian winger linked with a move away from the club.
Sevilla and Leeds have both registered an interest in Pepe who has failed to live up to expectations since arriving for a £72million fee from Lille in 2019. Diaby currently wears the no.19 shirt for Bayer Leverkusen and could replace Pepe in Arteta's plans should the north London side make a move for the France international.
Number 20
The no.20 shirt is currently vacant at the Emirates Stadium after Nuno Tavares was loaned out to Marseille for the 2022/23 campaign.
Tavares struggled to perform after arriving from Benfica last summer and Diaby could look to steal his shirt number should he sign for the Gunners.
Other numbers that are available for Diaby should he sign for Arsenal include no.26, no.28, no.29, no.31, no.32 and no.33.
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