Source: Daily_Mail
Bacary Sagna: Pape Diakhate must join Arsenal not Spurs
Bacary Sagna has urged Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger to see off Spurs and sign £10million-rated Senegal defender Pape Malickou Diakhate.[LNB]The Gunners have been tracking the 25-year-old Dynamo Kiev stopper for the past six months, when the centre-half a spent a loan stint with lowly French outfit St Etienne.[LNB]After impressing scouts Diakhate has emerged as a strong candidate to become Wenger's first summer signing, with defence his first port of call for strengthening his squad.[LNB] Centre of attention: Pape Diakhate, who enjoyed a loan spell at St Etienne this season, is being tracked by Arsenal, Spurs and Sunderland[LNB]But Tottenham are also said to been monitoring Diakhate's development closely while Sunderland boss Steve Bruce could also be ready to pounce - and full-back Sagna believes Arsenal would be gaining a top player if he does arrive at the Emirates.[LNB]Go for him: Bacary Sagna wants Arsenal to sign Diakhate[LNB]'I don't know what the plan is for next year. We are all waiting to see what the manager does but Malickou he would be very welcome in our team,' said Sagna, who is preparing for France ahead of the World Cup in South Africa.[LNB]'He is Senegalese like me and plays for the national team. He played for Nancy in France so I played against him a few times and he is very dangerous at set-pieces. [LNB]'I have met him a few times and he is a very good guy and a very good player.'[LNB]The Kiev star is back in the Ukraine after six months on loan at French club St Etienne.[LNB]With veteran defender, and Celtic target, Sol Campbell's future unclear and William Gallas not yet agreeing a new contract with a move to Roma on the horizon, Arsenal have prioritised a defensive recruit and Diakhate could well fit the bill for boss Wenger.[LNB] Arsenal poised to make £8m bid for Lorient centre-half Laurent KoscielnyCesc Fabregas left in limbo as Arsenal block Barcelona approachChampions League? Forget it! English clubs struggle to meet UEFA cash rulesARSENAL FC
