Arsene Wenger has identified young Lazio forward Keita Balde Diao as a top January transfer target according to reports. The forward is said to be valued at around £8million, and Wenger is said to have been tracking the player over the past few seasons. Diao seems to have fallen out of favour at Lazio, appearing just four times this season and is said to be open to a move.

Once again, it is grain of salt time. Not sure how much is in this rumour if anything at all, given the likes of Welbeck, Giroud, Sanogo, Walcott, Podolski, and Campbell who would all be ahead of him in his position. I’m sure many of you are wondering who this player is, and if so, click below to find out five things about Diao.

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19 years old, 5’11

Diao is just 19 but is as physically imposing as they come. He is a “big, strong boy” to borrow a phrase from most match day commentators and possesses excellent pace and power. He plays primarily as a central forward, and loves to run in behind the back line. He is cunning in an around the box and has goals in him with the right service. He never shies away from physicality either and is comfortable fighting for aerial balls.

Banished from Barca

Keita started his career aged nine in 2004 on the books of Barcelona. He was born in Catalonia to Senegalese parents and caught the attention of Barca at a young age. In 2010, he traveled with the team to Qatar for a tournament, where he played a prank on a teammate by placing an ice cube in his bed. Barcelona punished him by sending him on loan to UE Cornella for season. He responded by scoring 47 times for the club before turning down Barca’s offer to bring him back the following season. The lad’s got a chip on his shoulder.
  Joined Lazio in 2011, crashed his Lambo in 2013

After his impressive 47 goal haul for Cornella and spurning Barca’s offer to bring him back, he earned recognition from likes of Real Madrid and Manchester United. He opted instead for Lazio, first playing for their youth academy before making the jump to the first team. His breakout year was last year, where he made 35 appearances scoring 6 goals. He made headlines on and of the field though, when he crashed his £158,000 yellow Lamborghini Gallardo in October. He has developed a little bit a bad boy image ever since and that perhaps explains why he has struggled to get into the side this year.
Can play on the wing

The player can and does operate on the wing sometimes, usually down the left. His pace and strength make him a good winger, although he lacks a bit defensively. He likes to take defenders on and cut inside and can be a really dangerous when he turns up in the right positions. He is comfortable anywhere along a front three and is familiar playing in a 4-3-3 system.

Just a tad arrogant.

He can use both feet and loves to take players on. See for yourself.