The EPL this season will be a tough road for all the teams as the biggest names in the business battle it out to win the trophy. In such a situation, Arsenal needs to tighten a few knots here and there to ensure a smooth performance. With a good show last season, Arsenal are looking out to strengthen their team further by adding new talent, and here’s a roundup of the top 4 targets.
1. Mauro Icardi from Inter Milan
Arsene Wenger was initially hell-bent on getting Jamie Vardy into the team and even offered him a sum of 32 million. However, with Vardy renewing his contract at Leicester City, Wenger’s hopes were dampened, and so were the hopes of other pursuers. However, all is not lost for the Gunners as their desperate need for a striker can be fulfilled by Mauro Icardi.
Icardi scored 16 goals in all competitions last season for Inter, coming at a rate of more than a goal every two games. While he might be the next best thing to Vardy, the 23-year-old striker was handed the captain’s armband by Roberto Mancini recently, and this might be a test of loyalties for the young player.
2. Romelu Lukaku from Everton
With Arsenal’s apparent need for quality strikers, this comes as no big surprise. The Everton striker has been linked with rumours of leaving Everton, once he returns to England.
The Belgian striker hit 25 goals for Everton last term, in a campaign where the Toffees struggled to click under Roberto Martinez. He has also has hit double figures in the Premier League in each of his last four seasons.
Lukaku is definitely on the list to be heading to north London this summer as Wenger looks to increase his striking options. The striker is currently playing for Belgium at the Euro 2016, and the Gunners are slated to be having talks with his manager regarding his future at the EPL.
3. Gonzalo Higuain from Napoli
Wenger has admitted to being a long-time admirer of Higuain, who is fresh from breaking the single season Serie A scoring record last season. The Argentine striker could be on the move from Napoli this summer – if anyone hands Aurelio De Laurentiis mega money.
Higuain struck 36 times in Italy last term and has been spearheading his country’s attack at this summer’s Copa America, taking his international tally to 30 goals in 62 games. Wenger has spoken in the last 12-18 months about his belief that South America are turning out the world’s best strikers, and the reasons behind it. And as far as pure No.9s go, Higuain is arguably as good as it gets.
4. Alvaro Morata from Real Madrid
The 23-year-old has matured during his two year stint in Turin, to the extent that he is now the No.1 choice for his country, and has scored three times at Euro 2016 already.
However, will they let their young talent go for the right sum of money?
The likes of Arsenal, Manchester United – where Jose Mourinho, who handed Morata his Madrid debut is now in charge – and Chelsea have all been linked with bringing him to the Premier League this summer.
And Morata’s all-round game and showings for his country in the last six months, perhaps show that he is more of a fit for the Gunners than Vardy would have been. His Champions League performances with Juve have proven that he’s got the talent – now he needs to find more consistency week-to-week. Although, Arsenal will probably want Real to lower their £60million asking price.
