Arsenal Transfer News: January Move for Edinson Cavani Makes Little Sense

Paris Saint-Germain's Edinson Cavani is once again being linked with a January transfer to Arsenal, but a move for the Uruguay international makes little sense for the Gunners at this point.

The Daily Express' Ben Jefferson claims the striker will ask PSG to lower their £50 million asking price as he is keen on a move to London, preferring said option over a move to Liverpool or Manchester United:

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The Uruguayan striker has been linked with a move to the Gunners in recent weeks, with suggestions that he likes the idea of living in London.

Publicly, Cavani continues to insist he is happy in Paris, but reports in Spain suggest he is now desperate to force through a move to England.

Liverpool and Manchester United have also been linked with moves for Cavani, but the prospect of linking up with Arsene Wenger and Alexis Sanchez at the Emirates makes Arsenal the striker's preference.

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As Jefferson stated, Cavani insists he is happy in the French capital. After a difficult start to his career with PSG, the 27-year-old has turned things around since the second half of the 2013-14 season.

As reported by WhoScored.com, he is a regular starter for Les Parisiens this season, bagging himself 12 goals in 21 total appearances.

He was very open about his early struggles and resurgence this year in a recent interview with Uruguayan radio station AM1010 (h/t Goal's Mark Doyle):

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These comments caused some problems, but they were not against the coach, the president or anyone else.

I expressed my frustration, but that didn't mean I had a bad relationship with any of them.

Sometimes these things can lead to a problem, but other times to a solution. We found a solution.

This year everything is fine. I am in Paris, the city is beautiful and the club supports me.

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The rumours of an imminent departure persist because of Cavani's open criticism of the club last year and the fact he's a big name in the sport. In reality, he has no reason to leave Paris at this particular time.

PSG are thriving in the UEFA Champions League, sit just one point out of first place in the Ligue 1 and look like major contenders for silverware in both competitions. Arsenal have struggled throughout the season—there's no reason a top star would leave PSG for the Gunners unless he was truly unhappy.

The odds of the French champions dropping their asking price are slim, but even if they did, Arsene Wenger would still have to come up with a sum north of £30 million. And with the club desperate for defensive reinforcements and a holding midfielder, he simply can't afford to spend such money on another forward.

The Gunners acquired Alexis Sanchez and Danny Welbeck during the summer, with Olivier Giroud still viewed as the designated starter up front and the likes of Yaya Sanogo and Joel Campbell warming the bench.

Darko Bandic/Associated Press

Meanwhile, injuries have ravaged the back four, and Arsenal still don't have that star holding midfielder they so desire in the squad. Former target William Carvalho looks like he may finally be moving to the Premier League in January. His manager at Sporting Club, Marco Silva, said, via Manchester Evening News' Matt McGeehan:

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William is a target for English teams, but I want him to play his game.

He's not playing at the same level as last season because last season he was a surprise, but he's improving. William has many offers. Let's wait till January.

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Carvalho has struggled in 2014-15, but his tantalising potential remains intact. Those early-season struggles will mainly help bring down his value in the open market, making it more likely Sporting will agree to a transfer for a reasonable fee.

If the Gunners decide to spend big on a player in January, the funds will go to an area of need. Arsenal need stability in midfield and depth in the back four—not another expensive striker who will be cup-tied to PSG.

And with the likes of Carvalho available, it makes no sense for Wenger to even think about Cavani. As far as rumours go, we can move this one straight to the bin.

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