£70m attacker’s transfer decision leaves the door open for an Arsenal move

Arsenal’s search for a left-winger is ongoing.

The champions of England did everything they could to lure Vinicius Jr from Real Madrid, before the Brazilian decided to renew at the Bernabeu.

Before that, Mikel Arteta wanted Morgan Rogers, but the club were unwilling to match the £117million paid by Chelsea.

Similarly, Arsenal are reluctant to meet PSG’s valuation for Bradley Barcola, and the Frenchman now looks set to join Liverpool.

The obvious solutions have all fallen away, and the Premier League season starts next week.

But a new development has emerged that could hand Arsenal an opportunity.

Iliman Ndiaye leaves door open for Arsenal transfer

Fabrizio Romano has reported that Iliman Ndiaye has decided against joining Al Hilal despite a big-money offer on the table from Saudi Arabia.

Instead, he wants to stay in the Premier League. “Understand Iliman Ndiaye has decided not to proceed with Al Hilal deal: he wants to stay in Premier League,” Romano reported.

“No to Saudi Arabia move despite big money on the table; Everton winger wants to continue in Premier League, decision made.”

Reports last week suggested Arsenal admire Ndiaye and could make a move, given the lack of obvious solutions in the left-wing market.

A player who has turned down Saudi money to stay in England would surely be very keen on joining the Premier League champions.

Would Iliman Ndiaye be a good solution for Arsenal?

Ndiaye is a really exciting player to watch. Excellent dribbling quality, hard-working, capable of striking well off either foot. At 26, he is entering the peak years of his career.

A fee of between £60-70million is understood to be what Everton would demand.

Some Arsenal fans are unconvinced that the Senegalese would make a significant upgrade on Gabriel Martinelli.

And while that may be a fair argument, Ndiaye is certainly a better and more assertive ball carrier who loves getting on the ball.

Although Arsenal should absolutely be cautious about panic signing a left-winger, Ndiaye would not be that.

His price isn’t too high, and if they were to recoup most of the fee from a Martinelli sale, it could be a smart pickup.

Christos Tzolis and Ndiaye almost definitely weren’t the ‘marquee’ attacking signings Arsenal fans would’ve had in mind at the start of the summer, but the market hasn’t fallen their way.

At least Ndiaye could offer something different in terms of his dribbling quality and two-footedness, and that variety in attack is exactly what Arsenal need.

With Ndiaye waiting for the right Premier League club to come calling, don’t be surprised if Arsenal come calling late in the window.