Arsenal are set to compete with West Ham United for £32.5 million Inter Milan striker Mauro Icardi, according to reports in the Sunday Express.
The Gunners are interested in paying the asking price, but are not the only suitors, with Atletico Madrid also showing interest in the service of the highly-rated hit man.
The reports from La Gazzetta dello Sport via Sunday Express described that Arsenal have attempted to convince Icardi to move away from Serie A and join the North London club.
It is left to Icardi to decide whether he will switch to West Ham, who like Inter cannot offer the striker any Champions League football. Both Atletico and Arsenal are in the Europe’s elite club competition next season, but are yet to table a bid for Argentine international, although the Gunners look more likely to give him regular first-team football.
Atletico top striker Antoine Griezmann has agreed a new deal this week, securing his long-term future at the Vicente Calderón Stadium, which might lead to the Spanish club cooling of their interest.
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger first registered an interest in the Argentine last summer and is ready to pay the asking price, according to the reports from TalkSport.
Personally, I think it makes sense for Wenger to go all out in signing a quality striker. Icardi could be a perfect alternative to Vardy who snubbed Arsenal move in favour of Leicester City stay, in regards to his pace and intelligent movement in the final third. Whoscored reports that the star netted 16 league goals for Inter last season.
Icardi is very much capable of improving the Gunners’ attack. His pace, clever movement, brilliant technique and better-quality finishing would make him the perfect foil for Ozil’s vision in the final third.
Wenger must bolster his striking options ahead of next season, after Danny Welbeck’s injury which will keep him out for the majority of next season while Giroud’s inconsistency has also let the Gunners down.
Icardi has greatly imparted Inter since he joined the San Siro outfit in 2013 from Sampdoria and has scored a total of 47 goals in 88 appearances, averaging more than a goal every two games.
His ability to score regularly could ease the pressure on both Giroud and manager Wenger as Arsenal go in search of our first Premier League trophy in twelve years.
