Arsenal's search for a summer striking addition may soon be at an end according to reports in Italy.
Corriere dello Sport (via The Telegraph) report that The Gunners are close to securing the services of Inter Milan forward Mauro Icardi.
Reports claim that talks between the club and striker's agent have gathered pace and a deal could be completed in the next 72 hours.
The Italian newspaper claim that Arsenal are lining up a bid in the region of between 36.7 and 41.8 million pounds, offering Icardi wages of £96,500 per week.
Gunners striker search continues
After the early addition of Granit Xhaka prior to Euro 2016, the North Londoners search for attacking recruits has met with frustration. After Jamie Vardy elected to stay at Leicester City and Henrik Mkhitaryan joined the Jose Mourinho revolution at Old Trafford, Arsene Wenger has been mulling over a swoop for Napoli forward Gonzalo Higuain.
Having missed out on the Argentine originally, The Gunners are being put off by the near £80m price tag demanded by the Naples club. Instead it would appear Wenger has opted to switch his sights on Higuain's compatriot, Icardi.
Arsenal have history with Icardi after interest in the forward as a youth. The Rosario-born 23 year-old came up through the FC FC Barcelona youth academy, before Sampdoria's youth side snapped him up in 2011.
Since moving to Internazionale, Icardi has scored 47 goals in 88 appearances.
Icardi 'I am happy here'
Despite the claims, Inter's captain has stressed that he is happy in Milan and remains committed to the club, muddying the transfer waters once more.
ESPN journalist James Horncastle (via Cd Sport) is reportedly quotes Icardi as saying, “I am here and I am happy here. That’s what I’ve always said." The Argentinian continued that he was fully obligated to Italy. "I have a contract with Inter until 2019, they’re my club".
Icardi has not played internationally since 2013 - his only appearance for La Albiceleste - however he was named in Gerardo Martino's preliminary squad for Rio 2016.