Arsenal target subject of €70m bid from Serie A giants as Arsene Wenger’s unwillingness to spend could cost Gunners

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Arsenal are reportedly set to miss out on another attacking target this summer with Napoli linked with making a €70m bid for Mauro Icardi.

The Inter striker has been the subject of transfer speculation this month, and is expected to secure a move away from the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza if a suitable offer is made to the Nerazzurri.

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Napoli are pushing ahead in their pursuit of the Argentine forward as they look for an able replacement for Gonzalo Higuain who completed his move to rivals Juventus last week.

Further, it’s added that they’ve prepared an offer of €70m to try and break Inter’s resolve, with Roberto Mancini insisting that the player isn’t for sale.

As is seemingly common practice in football transfers these days, the interested party have approached the player and his representatives to reach an agreement first before going to the club that currently owns the individual in question.

In turn, an offer has said to have been made by Gazzetta, with Icardi’s wife and agent, Wanda Nara, negotiating a deal with an initial offer of €6.5m per year including image rights.

Ultimately, it’s still suggested that the 23-year-old wants to stay at Inter, but there is a disagreement over his contract and promised salary increase.

As a result, that has led to continued interest from Napoli, with owner Aurelio De Laurentiis seemingly fixed on making Icardi his marquee signing this summer to bring in a striker capable of replacing the goals scored by Higuain last season.

Given the figures involved, it’s unlikely that Arsenal will be in a position to rival Napoli, as Arsene Wenger continues to look to bolster his own attacking options.

However, as has been the case for years now, the Frenchman has been apprehensive about shelling out significant fees, and given his latest comments about Paul Pogba’s possible transfer fee being “completely crazy”, as noted by ESPN FC, Gunners fans won’t hold too much hope for Icardi.

Wenger had a €35m offer for Lyon striker Alexandre Lacazette rejected earlier this week, as noted on the club’s Twitter account, and so it would certainly seem a drastic jump up for them to compete with Napoli.

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