Papa Bouba Diop

ARSENE WENGER is ready to splash out £7million on Fulham midfielder Papa Bouba Diop.

Arsenal’s boss has told the Highbury board he needs fresh blood to stop the Gunners fading against Chelsea and Manchester United.

And he wants Diop, 25, to replace Patrick Vieira and make up for missing out on Julio Baptista.

Vieira’s fellow Senegalese midfielder has become a huge hit in just over a year at Craven Cottage.

Fulham boss Chris Coleman fended off Everton by slapping an £8m tag on the World Cup star.