Arsenal Transfer Rumor: Gunners Looking To Spend Big, Lure Italian Starlet?

If new reports are true, North London heavyweights Arsenal are piling up a big amount to rope in young Italian striker Stephen El Shaarawy, who currently plays his club football in Italy’s Serie A with Milan.

Gunners’ manager Frenchman Arsene Wenger had previously praised the talents of the young Italian Under 21 and said that he may be interested in the player. It is now being rumored that the boss is looking forward to bringing the 19-year-old hitman to Emirates Stadium next season.

While some say that Wenger will spend a good amount to buy the services of the player, others have argued that he will be brought in on loan as Wenger will want to take his time and assess the player’s progress in one of the best football leagues in the world before deciding to spend, a Guardian report has said.

It is believed that the Gunners will look to re-build the team by letting go a few players while bringing in some new faces. Wenger had earlier mentioned that he is looking to bring in “quality” and not “quantity” into the side, and now it is being said that Arsenal have already secured the signature of German international Lukas Podolski with a $17.24 million (£10.9 million) offer, and are close to agreeing personal terms with the player.

Arsenal are said to let go the likes of out-of-form Moroccan international Marouane Chamakh and Russian Andrey Arshavin at the end of the season. It was also previously reported that Arsenal’s Danish striker Nicklas Bendtner, who is currently serving at Sunderland on loan, has made his intentions clear about leaving Arsenal and, only recently, Mexican forward Carlos Vela, who has also been loaned to Spanish La Liga side Real Sociedad, also said that he wants to spend more time with the Spanish side.

Wenger is also yet to secure the signature of skipper Robin van Persie who has delayed any contract talks till summer and whose contract is coming to an end, but is certain that the Dutchman will initially decide to stay on with the club with a new contract. However, Wenger will look to bring in somebody like El Shaarawy into the team just to make sure that his side doesn’t lose the fire power upfront.

Nonetheless, if van Persie decides to stay, the Gunners will have a formidable front line next season with the likes of Robin van Persie, Lukas Podolski, Gervinho and Theo Walcott operating together as Wenger knows that it is possible to play Podolski in the wings. El Shaarawy can be a strong back-up on the bench for the Gunners if any of the four is injured.

This could spell danger for Milan’s firing line if El Shaarawy decides to move to North London next season.

El Shaarawy, who was born to an Egyptian father and Italian mother, joined Milan from his youth club Genoa in June 2011. Thus far, he has made 23 appearances for the Rossoneri and has managed to score four times. He has also made two appearances for the Italian U21 team.