According to Tuttosport, as cited by Football.London, Inter Milan could offer Mauro Icardi in a direct swap deal to sign Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. The forward will return to San Siro following the end of his loan spell at PSG. But, given his disputes with the club’s hierarchy, Icardi is almost destined to leave.
Inter, therefore, are ready to offer the Argentine international to Arsenal in an attempt to sign Aubameyang, who also faces an uncertain future in north London.
Icardi’s struggles at PSG
Icardi moved to PSG in a season-long loan deal last summer after falling out with Inter Milan. He had hoped to impress the onlookers in the French capital and become the club’s long-term replacement for Edinson Cavani. But, even though the Argentine has scored an impressive 12 goals in 20 league outings, he has struggled with a lack of game-time.
In fact, the ex-Barcelona starlet has featured in just over 1,200 minutes of league football, amassing only 14 starts. Coach Thomas Tuchel has predominantly utilised Kylian Mbappe as the central striker whilst rotating between Cavani and Icardi. As a result, both the players, the latter, in particular, have found it challenging to make their mark.
He hasn’t been helped by the fact that the French football authority made a decision to cancel the Ligue 1 campaign, even though they did award PSG the title. So in general, Icardi’s short loan spell at Parc des Princes can be deemed as a failure.
Is Mauro Icardi a viable option for Arsenal?
Icardi is undoubtedly one of the best strikers in world football. Over the years, he has emerged as a consistent scorer, having notably netted 121 goals in 219 Serie A matches. His ability to sense scoring opportunities is what makes him such a sought-after attacker in Europe.
Also, the Inter Milan star is known for his excellent conversion rate. He rarely misses clear cut opportunities, which is a priceless asset for any striker in the world. These qualities will certainly make him a success at Arsenal.
On the flip side, however, Icardi is often criticised for his attitude. He doesn’t have the best of relationship with his teammates, especially in the national team and is prone to getting into unnecessary disagreements with the club bosses. Moreover, his wife cum agent Wanda Nara is also infamous for her stubborn nature and questionable public stances.
These things could create unnecessary complications for the Arsenal side. It is, however, fair to point out that Icardi is the most accomplished Aubameyang replacement that the Gunners could get their hands on. So in hindsight, they might fancy sanctioning this swap deal that could prove to be beneficial for all parties involved.
