Arsenal Transfer News: Mauro Icardi in Olivier Giroud Part-Exchange Rumours

Arsenal are reportedly ready to offer Inter Milan €35 million (£29.77 million) plus striker Olivier Giroud in an attempt to secure forward Mauro Icardi. 

That’s according to La Gazzetta dello Sport (h/t Football Italia), which reported the Gunners remain very much interested in the 23-year-old. It’s suggested that while Arsenal are pushing hard for the player, Inter’s resistance is stern when it comes to keeping their captain.

The Emirates Stadium outfit were linked with a similar kind of deal involving Giroud when they were said to be in pursuit of Gonzalo Higuain, per journalist Gianluca Di Marzio (h/t Charles Perrin of the Daily Express). Per Football Italia, Napoli are keen on landing Icardi as a replacement for Higuain, who has joined Juventus, although Inter want €60 million (£51 million) for him.

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For Arsenal supporters, the prospect of a part-exchange deal involving Giroud would be intriguing. WhoScored.com took a detailed look at how Icardi and the Frenchman fared in direct comparison in league matches last term:

It’s long been a problem position for Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger. While Giroud has consistently scored goals in the Premier League, it’s been proved that the club can’t win a title with him leading the line.

For all his power in the air, finishing ability and physicality, Giroud is just shy of the world-class standard. He lacks the dynamism and ingenuity that have been hallmarks of successful sides in English football’s top flight down the years. It’s why the club have needed someone to offer him competition or provide an upgrade.

Bleacher Report’s James McNicholas feels there’s a growing unanimity about the forward and his limits at the Emirates:

Icardi offers something different. The Argentinian is sharp around the box, regularly getting the jump on defenders due to his brilliant anticipation. Here is a closer look at what he can offer:

The Inter man is quicker than Giroud, something that could give Arsenal a different dynamic at the point of the attack. And while he may not be capable of contributing quite as much in general play, the creative talents of Mesut Ozil, Santi Cazorla and Alexis Sanchez would be enriched by a pure finisher in the penalty area.

Inter seem to be keen to keep Icardi on board, though, and it’s suggested in the initial source that they will offer their skipper a new contract worth €5 million (£4.25 million) should he remain at the club after the transfer window closes.

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So Arsenal’s chances of landing the player look to be slim at this juncture, although losing Giroud to bring in Icardi may not be ideal for the club anyway. Sports journalist Rafael Hernandez is unsure whether the Inter man is worth the amount being touted:

The Gunners need different options in attack. There are games when Giroud’s style comes 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.

Icardi still has a lot to prove at the highest level, and, as such, any team willing to meet Inter’s valuation of him would be taking a big gamble. Arsenal would benefit from his presence in attack, although it’s doubtful as to whether he’s much of an upgrade on Giroud and a man capable of firing the Gunners to an overdue title.