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6ft 3in star responds to speculation he’s heading to Arsenal

By mac14 on August 23, 2018

According to quotes in the Mirror, Igor Diveev has played down speculation suggesting he’s heading to Arsenal on trial ahead of a potential permanent switch to north London.

Diveev currently plays for Russian outfit FC Ufa and has caught the eye of Arsenal scouts after impressing for their second team having played 24 times in the Russian Championship last season.

The talented centre-back is now part of the Ufa first team squad having been named on the bench for their last two games, including Monday’s 3-0 defeat to Dinamo Moscow.

The 18-year-old has also made a mark on the international stage after helping the Russian Under-20’s reach the final of the prestigious COTIF youth tournament this summer and he scored during the defeat to winners Argentina.

The Mirror reported earlier this week that Arsenal representatives had watched Diveev in action during the tournament and have now made contact with Ufa to offer the teenager a trial.

It’s reported that Arsenal chiefs want to see the defender up close in training before moving forward with a permanent deal and the Russian club’s president, Shamil Gazizov, confirmed that Arsenal were keen on the player.

Diveev has now responded to the reports and while he says it’s flattering to be linked with a club like Arsenal, he insists he’s heard nothing concrete just yet.

When quizzed about reports of him heading to north London, the defender is quoted as saying by the Mirror:

“I read about all this on the internet before the match with Dinamo,”

“Of course, the attention of such a club is pleasant, but I do not know anything concrete yet.”

We’ll have to wait and see if anything develops with this story but Diveev is highly-rated in Russia and the 6ft 3in centre-back looks to have a promising future so he could be an exciting long-term addition to the squad if he purse a deal.