Transfer News: Chelsea look to beat Arsenal to sign PSG star Mauro Icardi
According to transfer news from journalist Ekrem Konur (h/t ESPN), Chelsea are competing with Arsenal to land the signature of PSG ace Mauro Icardi in January.
The Argentinian joined the French club in 2019 after six successful years at Inter Milan. However, things have not clicked for him at PSG. Neymar and Kylian Mbappe have been the hotshots at the club, and Lionel Messi’s addition in the summer has restricted his fellow countryman’s game-time.
Despite this, he has managed to contribute to 46 goals in 77 games for the Ligue 1 club. However, he could be heading for the exit door in January itself. He has turned down a move to Sampdoria and Inter previously, and Chelsea are now trying to seal a deal.
They will face competition from Arsenal, but the Blues are arguably the hotter property in the market, having won the Champions League last season and competing for the Premier League title this term.
Do we need Icardi?
The 28-year-old proved his talent in Italy and has done a respectable job in Paris. However, the English league is a different playing ground and he would need to do well to adjust soon.
Moreover, the Blues already have quite a lot of talent going forward. Mason Mount, Kai Havertz, and Hakim Ziyech started on the weekend, and we had the luxury to call on Romelu Lukaku, Timo Werner, Christian Pulisic, and Callum Hudson-Odoi from the bench.
Additionally, we also have a buy-back clause placed on Tammy Abraham after the academy graduate joined AS Roma in the summer. Thus, he could be the long-term option going forward. Thus, there is little room to squeeze Icardi into the squad, let alone the starting line-up.
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However, Tuchel has worked with the Argentinian international at PSG, and he could work as a great short-term fix. We are competing on five fronts this season, and Lukaku and Werner have already once picked up injuries. Thus, a careful evaluation will need to be carried out soon before convincing the player to make the move to West London in the winter transfer window.
There is no urgency to sign him, but top-class strikers, if they fit our budget, would always be welcome to add to our depth going forward.
