Arsenal Transfer News: Edinson Cavani Not Wanted by Arsene Wenger, Fresh Rumours

Arsenal’s reported search for a new striker will not see them chase Paris Saint-Germain star Edinson Cavani, with manager Arsene Wenger not interested in the Uruguay international.

That’s according to French journalist Pierre Menes (h/t Chisanga Malata of the Daily Star). As noted in the piece, he tweeted recently, “to be clear Arsene Wenger never wanted Cavani. What a surprise…” The Londoners, as Malata wrote, had been strongly linked with a move for the PSG forward.

Here’s a look at why Cavani is rated as one of the very best front men around:

The Gunners have looked a little toothless at the sharp end of the pitch in recent matches. While the team is packed full of cultured midfield players, at the moment they seem to be lacking a player with dynamism and predatory instincts who can make chances count against packed defences.

As we can see here courtesy of Squawka Football, it means Arsenal have struggled at the Emirates Stadium when teams bunker in against them:

While Olivier Giroud is a capable target man and a fine wall for the likes of Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez to play off, a striker with added athleticism, the ability to stretch defences in behind and a more ruthless edge in front of goal would be better suited. Cavani is a player that would certainly fit the bill.

At Paris Saint-Germain he’s showcased his quality with some all-action displays. Whether deployed out wide or through the middle, Cavani has terrorised defences throughout Ligue 1. As we can see here courtesy of WhoScored.com, the former Napoli man also possesses goalscoring instincts that would enrich this Arsenal side:

But there are some major obstacles that are likely to prevent this deal from happening. With just days left in the window it’s unlikely the Parisians would be keen to sell, and Cavani could easily find himself leading the line in 2015-16, with rumours continuing to rumble on regarding the future of PSG talisman Zlatan Ibrahimovic, per football-italia.net.

Jean Catuffe/Getty Images

Wenger, aside from reportedly not being interested, would know that a deal would be almost unachievable too. It’d take a massive amount to prise Cavani away from the Parc des Princes and it’s unlikely the Frenchman would sanction such a substantial sum of money on a 28-year-old player anyway.

However, as noted by John Cross of the Daily Mirror, after making just one major signing this summer in Petr Cech, the Gunners still look a long way off a title charge:

A striker would give everyone a lift at the Emirates Stadium. It’s a position on the field the supporters have been crying out to be filled for a while now and if a top-class player was to come in and adorn the No. 9 jersey, the frustrating mood currently engulfing the club after a summer of minimal activity would be lifted.

For the time being, that man looks very unlikely to be Cavani. His industry and rounded centre-forward play would certainly give the Gunners a refreshed dimension to their attack, but any Arsenal supporters hoping a player of that calibre is drafted in before the transfer deadline passes might be best served lowering their expectations.