It was not a secret that Arsenal were subject to bring in a number nine this summer, and multiple names made the headlines following their links with a move to N5. About all of those reports were almost clear that Gabriel Jesus is Arsenal’s priority choice when it comes to getting that Brazilian mojo upfront.
Though there were many linked with a probable move, one of those names that didn’t come into the limelight was Mauro Icardi. The Argentine has had a hard time gelling into life at Paris following what was a highly-anticipated move from Inter Milan. And his struggles at PSG means that high-paying French champions finds another big name on the fringes who’d go greater good moving on.
The ever-reliable Fabrizio Romano, when speaking with Caught Offside, insisted that Arsenal were handed a chance to land Icardi in the summer – but Edu came up with a persistent no. This was because he & Arsenal only wanted Gabriel Jesus – who of course is now a star-man in this Arsenal side.
Romano said: “Arsenal have had many opportunities that they have turned down, but this happens in all the top clubs every day. For example, Mauro Icardi was an option offered to the club in recent months and it was decided not to proceed.
“Because they were looking for a different striker, Edu has always had Gabriel Jesus in mind as a priority.
“Sometimes the refusal is for technical reasons, other times for economic reasons.”
Mauro Icardi has won a couple of Ligue 1 titles with PSG, and was a force to reckon with during his time in Italy with Inter Milan, and later is been seconded by Giorgio Chiellini in his autobiography in 2020.
Chiellini wrote: “Among the great attackers I have faced, I highly value Icardi, who inside the area is almost impossible to mark. Mauro against Juve has often scored, it hurt me. He’s a world-class centre-forward, even if he lacks something in the collective game. He’s a Trezeguet but with different characteristics, lethal in the aerial game.”
Icardi has multiple problems to be dealt with at PSG, especially now with the arrival of Ekitiké.
And for Arsenal, they have got their man in Gabriel Jesus. One that has all the Gooners faithful on the edge of their seat again. A Jesus that is blessed to bring back the glory days at the Emirates.