Arsenal reportedly rejected the chance to swap Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang for PSG striker Mauro Icardi in the January transfer window.
According to David Ornstein of The Athletic, Arsenal rejected the chance to sign Mauro Icardi in the January window. They had the opportunity to work out a deal with PSG to swap Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang for the Argentine. The Gunners chose to stick with existing options to finish the season.
Arsenal fans were left worried after the club ended the January window without signing a striker. With Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang joining Barcelona on deadline day, it became necessary for the Gunners to sign a replacement.
Due to the Gabon international’s departure, Arsenal were left with only Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah as recognised strikers for the second half of the season. While the Frenchman has been a regular starter since Aubameyang’s exile from the team, he certainly offers fewer goals than the former captain.
With the glaring need for a new striker evident, Arsenal were in the January market for a new frontman. They chased Dusan Vlahovic for the best part of the month, but the Serbian eventually decided to join Juventus instead of the Gunners.
Additionally, Lacazette and Nketiah’s contracts are set to expire in the summer, and both are reportedly likely to leave as free agents. Hence, Arsenal are expected to bring in at least two new forwards in the summer window, meaning another spending spree could be on the cards.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s name has been mentioned multiple times, as the Everton man has qualities Arteta seeks from his new striker. There’s also mention of Chelsea starlet Armando Broja, although the deal could be difficult considering the rivalry between the clubs.
Real Sociedad reportedly rejected Arsenal’s late approach for Alexander Isak in the January window, although there’s talk of the Gunners reigniting their interest in him. David Ornstein now insists that the Gunners rejected the chance to sign Mauro Icardi from PSG.
The reported deal was a swap involving Aubameyang and Icardi. The PSG striker is unsettled at the club, considering his reduced importance in the side. The Argentine is not an automatic starter and only gets game time either as a substitute or if one of Kylian Mbappe, Neymar or Lionel Messi is unavailable to play.
While his goal tally is respectable with the Parisians, his overall involvement in the build-up is often lacking. PSG’s willingness to allow his departure and their desire to capture Aubameyang showed they do not need Icardi or see him as a key part of the squad.
Similarly, Arsenal were looking to sign Alvaro Morata from Juventus, although there were no developments further to the initial links to the Spaniard. With Aubameyang joining Barcelona eventually, any talk of a swap deal with another club ended.
Arsenal did not want to make a hasty decision and sign a new striker, which is why they rejected a chance to bring in Icardi. The Gunners are prepared to wait until the summer to get their preferred targets and continue with their squad rebuild.
