The 26-year-old defender was touted as the perfect partner for Thomas Vermaelen some months ago, but a few salient voices on the fringe pointed to the fact that, the Senegalese star failed to withstand the rigours of the Ukrainian Premier league, which prompted his parent club's decision to loan him to Ligue1 giants Saint-Etienne, where his consistent performances have successfully endeared him to many (including top Premier League scouts).
Diakhate, is expected to resume training next week with Dynamo Kiev. He recently completed his rehabilitation programme at St. Raphael, where he spent two weeks recovering from an injury.
Speaking to the Daily Adjourd'hui, Pape discounted reports that surfaced on Wednesday in France' LeParisen newspaper, the paper suggested that Losc Lille, offered him an escape route of €4m which didn't auger down well with Dynamo's hierarchy, who sensed an opportunity to ask for more: "Lille? I don't want to comment on that, for now it is mere talk. Those are just rumours, nobody has contacted me directly."
He divulged further details on his current transfer-state-of-affair, stating categorically the necessary financial requirements that must be met by Arsenal or any other prospective club(s), who are interested in hiring his services:
"At first it was €8m, but I think the President is ready to listen to lesser offers.
"As for me, I want to go somewhere else, I'd like to leave Ukraine, because I don't get along with the coach.
I spoke with my President and I think I will be leaving Kiev, if a club comes with €4 or 5m."
Well, Pape is desperate to leave Kiev, and for a cheap fee too! Arsene still has a vacant spot in his defensive arrangement for the upcoming season, it's indeed an easy decision to make, but again I can't see a very shrewd and intelligent financial expert like Arsene Wenger, putting his money on an injury-prone center-back, anyway you never can tell! He might decide to surprise us again.
