Arsenal Transfer News: Edinson Cavani Open to Move, Sebastian Giovinco Exit Eyed

Arsenal haven't been shy about splashing the cash during the past couple of campaigns, but even for freely and newly flush Arsene Wenger, a premium of £50 million for one player seems a little outlandish.

But according to reports, the Gunners could be set to sanction a whopping deal for Paris Saint-Germain striker Edinson Cavani as Wenger looks to bolster his attacking options. Ben Jefferson of the Express claims the Uruguayan is not happy in Ligue 1, and while Manchester United are interested, London is the player’s preferred destination.

Here’s what Arsenal supporters could expect from Cavani should he rock up at the Emirates:

Cavani is a forward who has been shunted out wide to accommodate Zlatan Ibrahimovic during his time as a PSG player. The Parisians have yet to see the best of the former Napoli man, and it is perhaps understandable that he has become frustrated.

Nonetheless, he has showcased instances of his outrageous ability this season, per Football Vines:

"

Edinson Cavani - that's class. https://t.co/GRrg1rpRuu

— Football Vines (@Vine_Football) December 2, 2014"

He'd certainly be a fine addition for Arsenal. Cavani has the attributes to flourish within Wenger’s bespoke stylistic mantras, and while both Olivier Giroud and Danny Welbeck are capable goalscorers, the Uruguayan is a class above both.

Jefferson claims a fee of £50 million would be enough to get a deal done, and that would make Cavani one of the most expensive players in Premier League history. But it's likely any deal would happen in the summer, with the Arsenal boss looking to add defensive reinforcements to his squad in January. 

Chris Brunskill/Getty Images

James McCarthy won't be one of them, however. Everton boss Roberto Martinez has rubbished rumours that the defensive midfielder might be on his way to the Emirates, per Greg O’Keeffe of the Liverpool Echo:

Eyebrows were raised when the Toffees splashed out £13 million on the Wigan man in 2013, but the Republic of Ireland international has grown into a crucial player in the Everton setup. His tireless running and ferocious tackling would add plenty of bite to the Arsenal midfield—with whom he has been linked, per John Cross of the Mirror—while his astute utilisation of the ball would also appeal to Wenger.

McCarthy is currently injured, but before his knock, he was rated among the Premier League’s best midfield men, per WhoScored.com:

Everton are notoriously difficult to negotiate with when it comes to selling players, and that could see the Gunners stump up around double what the Toffees initially paid. Given Arsenal’s lack of an authoritative presence in the centre of midfield, it would be money well spent, but Wenger might find it difficult to part with such a hefty sum for a player who isn't all that illustrious.

Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images

January is not typically the time for money-spinning deals anyway, and that means the Arsenal boss could look for some cheaper, value-for-money players. One of those could come in the form of Sebastian Giovinco.

The player’s agent, Andrea D'Amico, admitted Giovinco could be on his way out of Turin in the near future, per Sky Sport Italia, via The Sport Review.

"Clearly they have different plans regarding tactics and investments," he said. "I see Giovinco at Juventus until June, but life is made up of concrete facts. In all honesty, I don’t know what could happen over the next few months."

Giovinco is a sharp, skilful forward who is capable of playing across the front line, and if Arsenal were keen on his signature, they could potentially pick him up for a cut-price premium in January, as his contract is due to expire at the end of this season. 

But he’s not a player who would get the game time he needs should he move to Arsenal, as rumoured by David Wright of the Express back in October. The player is 27 years old now, and it’s vital he signs for a club that would give him the first-team minutes he needs to salvage some of the sparkling potential he showcased when bursting onto the scene as a capricious young player.

While he would add another dimension to this Arsenal squad, he’d end up being rotated in and out of the first XI. Ultimately, it’s a move that would do little to benefit either the club or the player.