Inter Milan’s Argentine striker Mauro Icardi is set to hold talks with Arsenal next week, according to reports from in Sky Italia.
Icardi along with his agent shall arrive in London next week to hold talks about a possible transfer.
Having been turned down by Jamie Vardy, Arsenal are made to look to Italy to quench their striker requirements after yet another failed title challenge last season.
The Gunners have also been linked with Gonzalo Higuain and Alvaro Morata, as the availability of possible upgrades for Olivier Giroud keeps reducing by the day.
The report claims the Gunners have moved for Icardi as he is available for between £42 million and £58m although his release clause is about £78m.
Adding spice to the story is Icardi’s wife Wanda Nara, who confirmed that there have been interests from Arsenal, Atletico Madrid and Tottenham, as reported by Sun. She has however claimed that she shall not be involved in negotiations.
The Inter Milan club captain scored 16 goals in 29 appearances last season to help the Nerazzurri finish just one place short of Champions League qualification, in what has been a tough period for the city of Milan.
He has only one senior appearance for Argentina but however has a busy summer ahead having been named in the preliminary squad for the Olympics.
The 5 foot 11 inches center forward may not be the same physical presence in the box as Olivier Giroud, but is nevertheless a quick, tactically intelligent and physically strong player who can provide a different dimension to Arsenal’s attack from what the Frenchman provides.
But this different dimension may cost over 40 million pounds, and it won’t be a surprise if Arsenal break their transfer record to land him.
It will indeed take a lot for the North London club to complete the transfer as Inter Milan are not willing to let go of him without a fight. Now that Tottenham have signed Vincent Janssen from AZ Alkmaar, they have sufficient back-up for Harry Kane.
Still only 23, Icardi has a long career ahead and can turn out to be a good signing for Arsenal if it happens.
