According to La Gazzetta Dello Sport, Arsenal are considering offering €35m plus Olivier Giroud for Inter Milan captain Mauro Icardi.
It’s suggested that while Arsenal are pushing hard for the player with Arsene Wenger ready to finally make Argentine ace his new striker this season but faces stiff competition from Napoli seeking a replacement for their star striker Gonzalo Higuain.
The Serie A side are thought to be resistant despite the departure of head coach Roberto Mancini, and will reportedly offer Icardi a new contract worth €5m a year.
Arsenal were linked with a similar kind of deal involving Giroud when they were said to be in pursuit of Gonzalo Higuain, according to Gianluca Di Marzio.
For Arsenal supporters, the prospect of a part-exchange deal involving Giroud would be intriguing but We don’t need a replacement for Giroud but someone who can give him healthy competition and make that position more competitive than it was ever before.
It’s long been a problem position for Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger. Danny Welbeck’s injury leaves Olivier Giroud as Arsenal’s only recognized striker and we don’t even have him for the first match due to prolonged vacation and lack of match fitness.
Icardi certainly offers something different. The Argentinian is extremely sharp around the box, regularly getting the jump on defenders due to his brilliant anticipation.
Losing Giroud to bring in Icardi may not be ideal for the club. The Gunners need different options in attack. There are games when Giroud’s style does come in handy, and, as is evident by his goalscoring record, he can make multiple key contributions over the course of a campaign. Arsenal need to keep him and bring in another forward if they’re to challenge.
Dutchman Frank de Boer has now taken charge at the San Siro, and his first task will be to make sure Icardi doesn’t ask for a move and finalize his stay with the club.
Inter are already said to be lining up Paris Saint-Germain ace Edinson Cavani as a £42m replacement, but that seems unlikely. Let’s hope this all turns out the way Wenger wants to or else we won’t be seeing anyone but Giroud.
