Arsenal in for Real Madrid star compared to Messi and Hazard

Stuart Telford

• 24 Mar 2023 08:44 GMT
• 3 min read

Arsenal are interested in bringing Brahim Diaz to the Emirates from Real Madrid - via AC Milan - with Mikel Arteta keen to be reunited with a player once compared to Lionel Messi.

Brahim has spent the last three seasons on loan in Milan from Madrid, and helped the Rossoneri win the Scudetto last year with six goal-involvements in Serie A.

Real are understood to want the player back next summer, their plan to integrate him into their squad if they can find a taker for Eden Hazard, but Arsenal could be ready to swoop.

READ: Hazard blocking Spain star from making Real Madrid return

Milan have the option to make Brahim's loan permanent at the end of the season for €22 million, but according to a report from Corriere dello Sport, they are trying to negotiate that down.

Arsenal would have no such problems meeting that asking price, and with Hazard digging his heels in at Madrid, Real agreeing to sell Brahim to the Gunners is becoming increasingly likely.

Arteta and Brahim worked together at Manchester City before the young attacker left in a €17.3m transfer to Real in January 2019. Arteta took the Arsenal job that December.

READ: Arsenal legend picks out Gunners star who is 'too soft'

Arteta has seen first-hand, therefore, the talent that former City academy player Edward Francis described to Goal in 2017.

Brahim 'a bit like Messi'

"He's strong with his left and right foot, he's definitely a big player for us," the now Notts County midfielder said.

"In the Premier League, we can compare him with Eden Hazard, but he's a bit like Messi in the way he dribbles. It's good to have a player like him in the team."

Brahim can play across the front three but his favourite position is at No.10. With Martin Odegaard - another former Real Madrid player - now playing on the right of a midfield three, there could be space for the once-capped Spain international up ahead.