Mauro Icardi to Arsenal: Olivier Giroud and £30million cash offer heading to Inter Milan as Napoli ready £50million bid
ARSENAL are on the verge of launching a stunning cash-plus-player bid for Inter Milan captain Mauro Icardi, according to reports.
Arsene Wenger wants more firepower as the Gunners prepare to take on Liverpool in their Premier League opener this weekend.
Danny Welbeck’s injury leaves Olivier Giroud as Arsenal’s only recognised striker, but Gazzetta dello Sport via Gazzetta World claims the Frenchman is set to be offered in exchange for Argentine ace Icardi.
The Gunners are said to be locked in a battle with the Napoli for the striker’s signature, and Wenger will allegedly offer Giroud plus £30million in order to land his man.
Meanwhile, Napoli are said to be readying a single cash offer of £50m after selling Gonzalo Higuain to Juventus for £75m – even though they’ve already landed Arkadiusz Milik from Ajax for £30m.
Giroud was also set to be used in a swap deal for Higuain before Juventus pounced, but Arsenal now seem determined to bring Icardi to the Emirates following a hip injury to first-choice target and Lyon star Alexandre Lacazette.
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It also appears that Arsenal and Napoli are looking to take advantage of Inter’s inner turmoil after club icon Roberto Mancini was sacked by new Chinese investors.
The fallen Serie A giants were on the end of a 6-1 hammering by Tottenham at the weekend, while Mancini had previously revealed his anger at the club’s refusal to sign Yaya Toure from Manchester City.
Dutchman Frank de Boer has now taken charge at the San Siro, and his first task will be to tie Icardi down to a brand new deal after his wife and agent Wanda Nara held talks with Gunners chiefs earlier this month.
Inter are already said to be lining up Paris Saint-Germain ace Edinson Cavani as a £42m replacement, but Wenger isn’t just looking to strengthen in attack before the transfer window slams shut.
A new centre-back appears to be the priority after Gabriel Paulista joined Per Mertesacker on the sidelines with ankle ligament damage.
Young Rob Holding looks set to make his competitive bow against Jurgen Klopp’s side on Sunday, and Wenger is reportedly plotting to make versatile German defender Lukas Klostermann his next Emirates star.
