The rumour mill is picking up speed at present, with the Premier League title all but wrapped up for Leicester City, so we thought we’d bring you up-to-date on the latest speculation doing the rounds.
The majority of today’s stories have been based around strengthening our midfield, but one major player I had hoped to join up front has just ruled out an exit from his club. That player would be Mauro Icardi, who currently plays for Inter Milan. Unfortunately he is rubbishing the repeated exit talks, and reiterating his happiness with his employers.
On the flip-side, PSG defender Marquinhos is reported to be set on the exit door, with him claimed to have voiced his anger at his lack of first-team action with the French champions. Unfortunately we are on a long-list of potential suitors including Barcelona, Chelsea and Manchester United, so it is hard to get excited about our chances of landing the young Brazilian.
The most well-known name for most of you will be the links to sign England international Michael Carrick. The midfielder is out of contract this summer, and is tipped as a possible replacement for Mathieu Flamini and Mikel Arteta, with the pair out of contract in the coming months. I believe this is pure speculation, simply because our English players are being touted as possible departures, with sources liking to throw homegrown players names around.
Another central player who we are believed to be keeping tabs on is AC Milan youngster Manuel Locatelli. This isn’t a player I have much knowledge on admittedly, nor will any of you have, but the 18 year-old is tipped for greatness, and has been described as a future captain of AC. Those words alone will tell you that his signature is an unlikely one, and with Leicester also interested, our scout who just joined from the Foxes may well have brought his name forward.
One player most fellow Gunners will have heard about is Marcelo Brozovic, who is currently on loan with Inter Milan. This Milanese team is claimed to be struggling financially, and are said to be eyeing completing a deal for the Croatian star, in order to sell him on for a profit. It seems like an unlikely scenario however, with the 23 year-old proving a big hit in Italy, and I would expect other players in the squad to be shown the exit door first should reports prove to be true.
Would you be happy to see a former Spurs midfielder Carrick arrive at the Emirates? Would Marquinhos and Icardi fit perfectly into our style of play?