Arsenal reportedly turned down the chance to sign PSG attacker Mauro Icardi, with the French club proposing a swap deal with the north London club.
According to the Athletic, the Ligue 1 giants proposed the Argentine striker to the Gunners over January with the intention of taking an Arsenal player in return, however, Mikel Arteta’s side rejected the idea.
PSG are desperate to sell Icardi after the Argentine fell down the pecking order this summer following the arrival of Lionel Messi, with the 28-year-old making just 13 starts this season and scoring five goals in all competitions.
Whilst Arsenal were desperate to sign a striker in January, Icardi doesn’t fit the profile of what the club are looking for, with the Gunners linked with young attackers such as Dusan Vlahovic, Alexander Isak and Jonathan David.
A £45m signing PSG made in 2020 as per the Guardian, Icardi has staggered since moving to the French capital after becoming one of Serie A’s most consistent goalscorers with Inter Milan, with Thomas Tuchel describing the striker as ‘super reliable’.
Indeed whilst Icardi could have been a solid short-term option for Arsenal, the club have made the right call rejecting any move for the Argentine international, with the north London side better off waiting until the summer to sign an attacker.
Deal for Icardi would cause more problems than answers for Arsenal
Whilst it is unknown which player PSG wanted from Arsenal, it is highly likely that Icardi would have been a flop of a signing for the Gunners given his style of player and high wages which Arteta is working hard to offload at the club.
The former Serie A star has shown he can be a quality attacker, yet for what Arsenal need, Icardi would have been a step in the wrong direction for the north London club, who should stick with their plan of signing young players who suit a certain style.
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