Tabloid Talk

Gunners to hold further talks with striker’s rep

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Arsenal are preparing to hold more talks with a representative of Inter striker Mauro icardi, with the Gunners also ready to launch a £34 million bid for Lyon hitman Alexandre Lacazette.

It is evidently clear that Arsene Wenger is desperate to add another striker to his squad this summer and only has until the end of the month to do so.

According to Italian publication Corriere dello Sport, Inter have given Wenger some hope of landing Icardi after stepping up their interest in PSG forward Edinson Cavani.

It is believed Wenger wants to add either Icardi or Lacazette before the Premier League season kicks off in a fortnights time.

Lyon are preparing to offer Lacazette an improved contract extension this week to ward off interest from Arsenal, but the player is thought to be interested in a move to the Emirates.

Meanwhile, it is understood that Icardi’s representative that the Gunners will talk to could in fact be his wife, Wanda Nara, having plotted an inter boycott to force through a possible move.

It’s been reported that Nara met Arsenal representatives 10 days ago as she seeks a move to London for Icardi.

Napoli are also chasing the 23-year-old Argentine and have tabled two separate bids for the striker – £60 million upfront or £42 million plus Manolo Gabbiadini. They are thought to be take-it-or-leave-it offers.

Inter have confirmed they have received bids for Icardi, but the club president Erick Thohir remains adamant the striker will stay at San Siro.

‘We’re not going to sell Icardi. We’ve received offers – from Napoli too – but we’re not going to sell him. We extended his contract a year ago.

‘We’re like a family and we can always talk if there are problems or discuss what we’d like to achieve together in the future.

‘He’s our captain and an important player for us. We’re very happy with him.’

However, Thohir may revise his stance over Icardi should the club manage to sign either Cavani or Santos wonderkid Gabriel Barbosa.

Either one of Icardi or Lacazette would certainly be welcomed at Arsenal, but it remains to be seen whether the club and Wenger can get a deal done from now until the end of the month.

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