According to reports, Arsenal ‘turned down’ a swap deal for PSG forward Mauro Icardi during the January transfer window.
The Gunners were keen to sign a striker during the winter transfer window. They targeted Dusan Vlahovic but he ended up joining Fiorentina’s Serie A rivals Juventus.
Arsenal’s need for a new striker was increased by Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s departure. His exit was confirmed earlier this month as he joined Barcelona permanently.
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There are also doubts surrounding Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah as they are out of contract this summer.
The Athletic have revealed that Arsenal ‘turned down a swap deal’ for Icardi in January. An ‘exchange’ with PSG was on the cards.
But the report states that it did not come to fruition as Arsenal ‘were clear on the candidates they would be prepared to pursue. If none materialised they would stick with existing options until the end of the season’.
The 28-year-old has scored four goals from his 19 appearances in Ligue 1 this term.
Elsewhere, Paul Merson has named who should be the next captain at Arsenal after revealing he has lost faith in current skipper Lacazette:
“Kieran Tierney should be Arsenal captain – because you can’t put your faith in Alexandre Lacazette.
“And my old club should start sorting out better contracts for young players like Bukayo Saka right now instead of wasting their money like they have before.
“They moved one step forward getting rid of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and his massive wages – but giving the captaincy to Lacazette was going two steps back.
“Give it to someone like Tierney and start building now.
“I like Tierney. He’ll run through a brick wall for you. I think Ben White could be captain as well. One of those two. They are there for the long run. Why not?
“Lacazette is 30 years old now. I think he needs to show some leadership. But I do not agree with him being made captain one iota.
“He’s not going to be there next season. What’s the point? That worries me. It makes me wonder if they want to offer him a new contract.
“That would be a mistake. Of course it would. They haven’t looked like challenging for the title with Lacazette up front have they? He hasn’t always been able to even get in the team.
“His contract is up. You’d have to offer him a fortune if you give him a new one. And he hasn’t ripped it up for the last few years so why would he do it for the next few?”
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