Arsenal are reportedly interested in signing Paris Saint-Germain striker Mauro Icardi and have found the transfer opportunity to sign the player in the January transfer window.
The Argentine has failed to find the same attacking flair he possessed at Inter Milan since making the move to France. Although his first season at the club was cut short because of Covid-19, he managed to rack up double figures (12) in 20 league games. His second season was marred with injuries, missing out on 17 league games.
However, though being fit, he hasn’t been able to cement his place in the first team this season. He seems to have fallen out of favour under Mauricio Pochettino, finding his name just six times in the starting eleven this season in Ligue 1. What’s more astonishing is he has failed to make the starting line-up even once in the Champions League. He was left on the bench during both the fixtures against Manchester City.
Mauro Icardi was never a preferred starter under Pochettino and the summer arrival of his national team captain Lionel Messi has diminished his chances even further. And it’s really difficult to blame the Argentinian manager here. With Kylian Mbappe, Neymar Jr, and Lionel Messi at his disposal, it will be very tough for any manager to field a front-three excluding these forwards.
However, it isn’t just the arrival of Messi that has staggered his appearances. Icardi has failed to impress with the ball, scoring just thrice this season. During his time at Inter Milan, Mauro Icardi netted an incredible 124 goals and 29 assists in 219 games. Although he couldn’t win silverware with the Italian side but was the Serie A top scorer in the 14/15 and 17/18 seasons. He hasn’t been able to replicate that form in Paris.
According to Foot Mercato (via The Sport Witness), the 28-year-old has been listed amongst the seven players PSG are looking to offload in the January transfer window. The report states the French club are ready to sever ties with the player as he doesn’t fall into the plans of manager Pochettino.
Now, it is being reported by Sports Mole (citing journalist Ekrem Konur) that Arsenal have shown interest in Mauro Icardi and are prepared to sign the player in January. Although his contract extends till 2024, the lack of playing time and the arrival of the former Barca forward might force the Argentinian striker to move elsewhere.
Mikel Arteta is already on the lookout for a striker to bolster his attack and this might be the perfect opportunity for the Spaniard to upgrade his front-line. Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah are most likely to move out of Emirates this January, with the latter already refusing to sign a new contract with the Gunners.
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With Lacazette and Nketiah moving out, the North London club will be left with only Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Folarin Balogun. The Gabonese striker has been performing erratically, while the English forward is too young to carry the load. Arsenal have the golden opportunity here to add one of the best strikers in world football to their squad in January itself.
The arrival of Mauro Icardi could bring a much-needed fresh perspective to the attack for the Gunners. Moreover, the player will also be looking forward to playing a starting role and proving himself once again after spending so much time on the sidelines. All in all, Arsenal should consider bringing in the Argentine forward, especially with his current club already planning to cut him loose.
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