Arsenal will have to pay €20m (£18m) if they want to sign Roma holding midfielder Amadou Diawara, according to reports in the Italian media.

There had been suggestions that the Gunners would look to use Lucas Torreira in a swap deal for the Guinean international but Roma have ruled out the possibility.

It is felt that Torreira’s €4m (£3.6m) a year wages would prove a major stumbling block and the Giallorossi have, therefore, decided that they will only accept a cash offer for Diawara from Arsenal.

It appears that the 23-year-old is one of the London club’s main alternatives to Thomas Partey. The Atletico Madrid midfielder is still seen as the Gunners’ top target but they are unable to pay the Ghanaian’s €50m (£45m) release clause.

Diawara would certainly be a much cheaper option, but he would also likely be a downgrade. The Guinean did make 26 starts in all competitions for Roma last season, but knee problems meant he did not establish himself as a regular starter under manager Paulo Fonseca.

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